This is the second year that I’ve lost my hives in western Nebraska.
Both hives are single deeps and still have plenty of honey. I also supplement with winter feed. Hives are wrapped for added insulation against the wind. The wrap sits over the base vents. Should I close the base vents to prevent cold drafts? Any tips for a more successful winter in 2024?
What was your varroa mite strategy?
It is colder and windier where you are for sure but my single deep hives have been ok with just top insulation…
I used Apivar mite treatment in both. One of the hives had strong numbers before treatment, and after treatment it appeared their numbers went down. I was already concerned going into the winter how’d they do.
When did you do the apivar?
Early October once supers were off.