Here at the Honey Bee Research Centre, we typically overwinter our double nucleus colonies in an indoor overwintering room to minimize winter losses. However, not all beekeepers have access to such facilities. In 2018, Niagara College student, Heather Tomascin, interned at the HBRC. Her project was to assist us with developing a method of overwintering double nucleus colonies outdoors. The method we tested used groups of four colonies (two double nucleus boxes) wrapped together in three layers. The first layer is made of foil wrap with holes cut at the entrances for airflow and exit out of the hive (see Figure 1 below). Next, an encased fiberglass insulation batt is placed on top (Figure 2) and finally, a Wellington County Beekeeper’s Association Winter Wrap surrounds the entire system (Figure 3).
We had success with this method but wanted to repeat the study with more test colonies to validate our results. This year we are wintering 40 nucleus colonies outside using this method and 60 nucleus colonies inside our overwintering room. This type of internal research is commonly used here at the HBRC to improve our beekeeping management methods. We will be sure to let you know the results of our study in the spring!
