Well here we are, September, and, for the bees and their beekeepers, the end of the season. They are now in winter mode, less brood, drones evicted and searching for the last of the collectable stores. Though there will be some late blooms to be had. This is the time for a really good inspection to check the health of the bees, the capped brood yet to come as these will be the winter/spring bees, the quantity of stores and most importantly the amount of bees as this can determine their survival chances. Unite weaker colonies and keep the best queen. Feed 1:1 sugar syrup until November then Fondant to see them through. You can also bolster them with a feed of Pollen substitute. If you like to leave a super of honey above the brood for winter ensure bees can get to it, a clean queen excluder helps as does a few score marks through the cappings just to let them know it’s there. Make sure the brood is surrounded by stores and they have passages to it. Clean the floor of the brood box , solid or open mesh and reduce the entrance. If open mesh floors are used be prepared to fit a draught excluder in cold and windy weather. As beekeepers we have been far luckier than many people during the pandemic in that we enjoy the great outdoors and fresh air while attending our bees. We have missed our apiary get togethers, training days and group studies for future certificates for apiculture but overall we are very fortunate. The new season is now underway , start preparing for your first spring inspection, plan and carry out hive maintenance, your plan for varroa treatment, what do you want from the new season , are you going to rear your own queens , keep up with your apiary colleagues (as far as you can?), read the BBKA news and attend what meeting you are allowed. Check out the Dave Cushman website for a lot of in depth information. www.dave-cushman.net

‘So once more into the hives dear friends, may they block up the entrance with their Apis Meliferia dead, we will not sway from our task to keep them safe. Men and women, in their warm beds, will think themselves accursed, they did not join a beekeepers’ association, on this St. Gobnait’s day. (or St. Valentine)’