When winter rolls around, bears hibernate and birds fly south, but what about the bees? Like every other creature on earth, bees have their own unique ways of coping with cold temperatures during the winter season. One way bees prepare for the winter is by gathering a winter reserve of honey. 

“In Wisconsin, bees need a minimum of 60 pounds of extra food in order to survive the winter,” explains Tim Willbanks, owner of Heritage Honeybee. “Beekeepers are working hard to make sure the hives have extra food, either in the form of stored honey or sugar syrup.”

Beekeepers are also inspecting their hives to ensure the quality of their queen bees. Queen bees are key for maintaining the colony's health and productivity.

While some beekeepers are preparing their hives for the winter in Wisconsin, others are preparing their bees to head to warmer states.

“Some Wisconsin beekeepers opt to prepare their bees for migration to warmer states such as Florida, Texas, and California,” says Willbanks. “These migrations offer opportunities for overwintering and early spring pollination in regions with milder climates.”

When winter rolls around, bears hibernate and birds fly south, but what about the bees? Like every other creature on earth, bees have their own unique ways of coping with cold temperatures during the winter season. One way bees prepare for the winter is by gathering a winter reserve of honey. 
“In Wisconsin, bees need a minimum of 60 pounds of extra food in order to survive the winter,” explains Tim Willbanks, owner of Heritage Honeybee. “Beekeepers are working hard to make sure the hives have extra food, either in the form of stored honey or sugar syrup.”
Beekeepers are also inspecting their hives to ensure the quality of their queen bees. Queen bees are key for maintaining the colony's health and productivity.
While some beekeepers are preparing their hives for the winter in Wisconsin, others are preparing their bees to head to warmer states.
“Some Wisconsin beekeepers opt to prepare their bees for migration to warmer states such as Florida, Texas, and California,” says Willbanks. “These migrations offer opportunities for overwintering and early spring pollination in regions with milder climates.”

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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