Winter beekeeping in Seattle means less hive activity but no less to do. The bees barely fly when temperatures drop below 52°F, and right now freezing temperatures are in the forecast. However, the hives still need attention — feeding, monitoring, and preparing for the cold months ahead.
Feeding Bees for Winter
We are using a gallon-capacity feeder that sits on top of the inner cover of each hive. An empty box surrounds the feeder with the outer telescoping cover on top. The bees can access the sugar syrup inside without it being exposed to the cold air.
There are still flowers blooming in Seattle even in late autumn — heather, rosemary, and fall-blooming camellias are active right now. The bees will forage on warm days, but most of their nutrition at this point comes from the sugar syrup we provide to supplement their honey stores.
Additionally, we noticed this broccoli plant that went to flower without being harvested. On warm late-October days, the bees were all over the blossoms. Urban beekeeping means our bees have access to a wide variety of plants across Seattle neighborhoods — not just agricultural fields.
Vanishing of the Bees Documentary Screening
On December 1, the film “Vanishing of the Bees” will be shown at Kane Hall on the UW campus at 7:15pm. Come early for a tasting of local honey including Seattle Urban Honey. The cost is $15 at the door or $10 advance at essentialarts.org. The organization putting this on is Essential Arts, Creative work for the common good.