Yesterday, November 28, 2017, was I think our "Indian summer", that last warm
(60 degree) day, of this year. The first warm day in many weeks. So I went through 20 or so hives to do whatever could be done to help them.
NOW, getting to the important part, INSULATE YOUR HIVES WITH THICK STYROFOAM! Tops and sides. This WILL make the difference if your bees survive our cold winters or not. DO make sure that they have a small upper ventilation hole so that their wet exhalations do not soak the hive inside , wet bees become sick bees and die. Also, by insulating, they will begin to expand the brood nest much earlier, which, if they have sufficient stores, will make them strong. early!
