Preparing Cherry City Honey for Winter: The Importance of 1-Inch Fall on Beehives

October 24, 2024

As fall sets in and the colder months approach, beekeepers at Cherry City Honey are hard at work preparing our beehives for winter. One crucial step in this preparation is ensuring that each of our hives has a 1-inch fall, or slope, from the back to the front. While this may seem like a small detail, it's an essential technique to ensure the health and survival of our bees throughout the winter.

Preparing Cherry City Honey for Winter: The Importance of 1-Inch Fall on Beehives

Why a 1-Inch Fall is Important for Beehives

During the winter, bees cluster together in the hive to stay warm, and their metabolism slows down to conserve energy. However, like any living creatures, they still need to eat and produce waste. The main byproduct of this metabolic activity, combined with the moisture that builds up from the bees’ respiration, is condensation inside the hive.

Without proper ventilation and drainage, moisture can accumulate in the hive, leading to mold, disease, and even the freezing of the colony. The 1-inch fall we implement on all our hives ensures that condensation runs down the inside of the hive and away from the bees. Instead of freezing on the cluster or causing mold growth, the slope directs excess moisture out through the hive’s front entrance, keeping the bees dry and healthy.

Additional Winter Preparations at Cherry City Honey

Besides setting up the 1-inch fall, Cherry City Honey follows several other best practices to prepare our hives for the harsh Ohio winters:

Insulation: We insulate our hives to help bees maintain a stable internal temperature. This includes adding a top cover or a moisture board to absorb any additional condensation and prevent drips from above.
Windbreaks: We strategically place windbreaks around the hives to reduce exposure to chilling winds. A well-protected hive helps bees expend less energy staying warm, which allows them to live off their stored honey for longer periods.
Feeding: In late fall, we make sure our bees have enough honey to last the winter. In some cases, we supplement their food supply with sugar patties to ensure they don’t starve during prolonged cold spells.
Mouse Guards: As the weather cools down, mice look for warm places to nest, and a beehive is often a perfect spot. We add mouse guards to the hive entrances to keep these pests from invading and disturbing the bees.

Learn More During Our Group Presentations

At Cherry City Honey, we’re passionate about not just producing honey, but also educating the public about beekeeping and the incredible world of bees. We offer engaging group presentations for bus tours and other groups who are interested in learning more about honey production and beekeeping. During these presentations, you’ll have the chance to learn from Beekeeper Gary about the bees, watch a video about the hives, and hear about the fascinating life cycle of bees. Plus, for an added bonus, sample our honey and shop at our charming gift shop.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a budding beekeeper, or simply curious about how honey is made, our presentations are a perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of bees. We cover a variety of topics, including:

How bees produce honey and pollinate crops
The role of bees in the ecosystem
Seasonal hive management techniques (like our winter prep)
Fun facts and stories about bees and their behavior

Our presentations are interactive and suitable for all ages, making them perfect for school groups, senior tours, or any group looking for a unique and educational experience. We’ll also be happy to answer any of your questions and share tips for starting your own beehive!

Visit Cherry City Honey

As winter approaches, our hives are prepped and ready, thanks to practices like the 1-inch fall that keep our bees safe and healthy. If you’re interested in learning more about beekeeping, honey production, or just want to support your local pollinators, we invite you to join us at Cherry City Honey.

Book a group tour today and experience firsthand what makes our honey and our beekeeping process so special!

Preparing Cherry City Honey for Winter: The Importance of 1-Inch Fall on Beehives