End-of-Season Beekeeping Tasks — Wrapping Up the Year the Right Way

As the hum of summer fades and the hives grow quieter, it’s time to turn your attention to one of the most important parts of the beekeeping calendar: the wind-down.
The way you close your colonies for winter can make all the difference come spring. So grab your hive tool, a notebook, and maybe a cuppa — here’s how to get your bees and your apiary ready for the colder months ahead.

1. Take a good, honest look inside

Your last inspections of the year shouldn’t be about finding the queen or chasing frames of brood — it’s about assessing strength and stores.
Ask yourself:

• Does this colony have enough bees to fill at least six frames?
• Are there plenty of capped stores — ideally around 35–40 lb (roughly a full brood box)?
• Any signs of disease or chalkbrood lingering in the corners?

If anything feels off, now’s the time to act — unite weak colonies with stronger ones, remove old or blackened comb, and tidy up the brood box before it’s too cold to disturb them.

2. Feed — properly and on time

Once the honey supers are off, feed 2:1 syrup (two parts sugar to one part water) to top up winter stores.
It’s best done before mid-October while the bees are still warm enough to process it down. After that, they switch from “store it” mode to “survive it” mode.

3. Treat for Varroa

Don’t leave this one to chance.
After the honey crop and before winter sets in, treat using a licensed Varroa control such as Apiguard, MAQS, or oxalic acid (in the broodless period).
It’s not glamorous, but consistent Varroa management is the difference between a colony that limps through winter and one that explodes into spring.

4. Reduce entrances and block out intruders

Wasps, mice, and the odd opportunistic hornet are all looking for warmth and sugar this time of year.
Swap to your mouse-guard (our Multi-Guard makes this a two-minute job).
Make sure the entrance is snug but ventilated, and avoid the temptation to seal everything up — a bit of airflow is essential to prevent condensation on cold nights.

5. Strap down, lift up, and walk away

It’s amazing how many hives get blown over or flooded in a bad storm.
Before winter bites:

• Strap roofs down firmly.
• Lift hives on stands or slabs to keep them dry.
• Check that nothing rattles or leaks.

A quick once-over with the hive tool now saves a heart-sinking visit in January.

6. Take stock of your kit

When the bees are settled, it’s your turn to do some housekeeping:

• Scrape, scorch or wash used equipment.
• Label spare boxes and frames so you know what’s what next spring.
• Make a list of kit to repair or replace — it’s easier to do it now than when everything’s buzzing again.

7. Reflect, record, and reset

Grab your notebook or app and jot down:

• What went well this year.
• What didn’t.
• What you’d like to try differently next season.

Was that split too early? Did the ivy come in strong? Did your bait hives work?
These are the notes you’ll thank yourself for in March when everything starts up again.

8. Keep an eye on them — but from a distance

From November onwards, resist the urge to open hives. A gentle heft check (lifting one side to feel the weight) tells you whether they’re burning through stores.
If they feel light, add fondant above the cluster — and otherwise, let them be.
They know what they’re doing.

Final thought

Beekeeping isn’t just about summer honey — it’s about stewardship through the seasons.
Closing the year with tidy hives, full bellies, and calm colonies sets you up for success next spring.
And when you finally zip that suit away for the winter, take a moment to enjoy what you’ve built: strong bees, healthy hives, and a beekeeper who’s earned their rest.