The Beekeeper’s Fall is a special time for human and bee alike.  The hot muggy days of the southern summer are almost at an end.  Most bee colonies have been at their largest population and are starting reduce in number.  As the “cluster” size diminishes the beekeeper will want to make sure that the colony is not left with too much space to patrol .  Too much inside space with too few patrol bees can result in an infestation of pests such as Small Hive Beetles or Wax Moths.   The Beekeeper in Fall will also need to evaluate the amount of honey that is stored for winter.  Bees do not fly when the weather is cold and winter (even in our area) rarely offers much in the way of nectar.  Failure to provide the bee colony with proper winter food is a failure on the part of the fall Beekeeper.

Enjoy the cooler weather.  Inspect your colonies before it gets too cold.  Get ready for a nice winter rest while your bees are resting and dreaming of Spring.