Winterizing the Hives

Watch as I winterize the hives to prepare for the colder months ahead. I like to add a wrap-around insulation layer in addition to a quilt box filled with cedar wood chips, along with some extra insulation board placed under the top cover. The cedar wood chips are helpful in reducing condensation inside the hive, as cedar naturally resists mold and mildew, creating a healthier environment for the bees during winter. In a couple weeks I’ll treat the hive for mites with an oxalic acid vapor. It’s considered one of the safest, most natural miticides available — often used by organic beekeepers.