I am sure this has been asked before, but I just can't find it. This was my 1st year with a hive. I am from SE Michigan and the as some of you know the weather can be kind of wierd this time of year. 75 and snowing is not an uncommon statement.
So how do I know when it is time to wrap things up for the year. Do I look at the weather, the flow, the bee's activity or the date. As of right now the golden rod is just tappering off and the bees are still active. We have 70+ days in the future, but 40 degree nights. I have two full hive bodies and one super. The upper is full of honey as is the super. Am I right for believing that the super could be considered surplus and harvested or should I leave it for the winter.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
They can take a lot of cold, so don't worry about the wrapping. It is mainly for the bitter cold windy weather, and that usually isn't till Jan/Feb. I usually wait till they are fairly tightly clustered and it is fairly cold, then I don't have to bother with them getting upset.
What you do want to make sure that you get your mouse guards on by October sometimes. If the bees are clustering, then the mice will nip in for a snack at night and they will start building a nest. During the day they stay out if the bees are flying, but at night they get in there.
Rick
When there is no more flow is a good time. That's here, now. Usually it's not until the first killing frost...
Where in SE you located? I'm over in Canton, just finished my first year too.
I am going to wait until november to wrap up but am going to put the mouse guards in this week.