Settling the Bees for Winter

Checking the hives

The eke and the wax comb

The bees have been busy all summer making honey.  Once the honey has been harvested the bees have to be medicated to protect them from the varroa mite infestations which are endemic and can destroy a colony if not treated.  The medication is placed above the brood below the roof.  An ‘eke’, which is a frame about an inch and half deep, has to be added to the hive to give space for the tubs of medication.  The hives were checked recently and it was found that the bees have continued to make wax comb in the eke and filled it with honey.  This needed to be removed for the winter before the bees cluster for warmth to survive the cold.