Today was one of those rare February days when I got to actually work my bees. I come to miss them, and usually there isn’t much to do. February is a crucial time for hive survival. This is the time when the bees often run out of food. They can stay warm through November, December, and January, but by February, they are often running low on food, and could starve.
Bees may need to be fed in February
Bees convert food to heat, because they need honey to eat to give them energy to shiver to create heat to stay warm. So a lack of food is not only a lack of nutrition, but also a lack of warmth.
One way to check their food stores is to lift their hive, or gently tip it forward and feel their weight. It is very important that you lift the whole hive, including the bottom board. You do not want to chill them unnecessarily. At first, this may not tell you all that much, but once you become a bit more experienced, you will be able to tell if the hives are heavy or light. Also, if you have multiple hives, you will be able to compare the hives, and get a feel for which hives need food.
How to feed bees in February
Liquid feed will freeze, and it is important to NOT feed liquid feed during freezing temps. It can take heat from the bees to keep the feed warm, and if the feed freezes and bursts the container, it can then drip down on the colony of bees.
It is important to feed carbohydrates (sugar or fondant) during this time of year. Be careful to not feed pollen patties that will stimulate brood rearing. If you do feed pollen patties, make sure they are formulated for the winter time.
How to feed dry sugar in the winter time
Today, I fed the bees dry sugar. It was a warm day, 44 degrees out, and was not raining. When feeding in this way, you want to ensure the bees will not get chilled, or wet, so choose a day with no rain or snow, and that is warm (out of the temperatures you have to work with.)
Because it is cold, it is important to have everything on hand and easy access. Gather either a spacing shim, or a shallow hive box (honey super), your hive tool, and the bag of sugar.
Feed the bees white cane sugar, and make sure that it is not powdered sugar, as the cornstarch in the sugar is indigestible for the bees. For more information on the type of sugar to feed the bees, click here..
Start by removing the inner and outer cover, then gently but quickly set the box or shim on top. Lay a single sheet of newspaper on top of the cluster of the bees, and then gently pour cane sugar on top of the newspaper. Don’t add too much at a time, or you risk crushing the bees. Today, I poured in four pounds on top of the newspaper, gently pouring it on top of the area the cluster was at. Then promptly place the inner and outer cover back on the hive.
Other February tasks
- Keep the entrances clear of snow. Snow around other portions of the hive is alright as it can act as insulation.
- Watch for lots of long brown streaks on the fronts of the hive. This is a sign of Nosema.
- Check that covers are securely in place.
- If treating with Oxalic Acid Vapor, consider a treatment while there is no brood.
- Check which hives are alive, and order enough replacement colonies. Companies often sell out of nucs and packages by the end of February. This post will teach you how to check if your bees are alive in winter without opening the hive.
- Continue beekeeping education. There is always more to learn. For a list of my favorite educational resources, click here.
- Repair any equipment, and build what frames you will need for the upcoming season.
- Order any protective gear or additional equipment you may need for the upcoming year. See my resource page.
February is the time to set your bees up for success.
Now is the time to ensure you have strong colonies going into spring. Feeding the bees dry sugar is an excellent way to feed the bees at this critical time. Thankfully, this is very easy to do. So go, lift your hives, and feed them if they feel light.