WINTERING BEES IN IOWA 



By Frank C. Pellett, State Inspector of Apiaries, Atlantic, Iowa. 



"With the rank and tile of the bee keepers in Iowa, the winter- 

 ing problem is the most serious one they have to face. In some 

 localities brood diseases may be a serious menace for a time and 

 cause great losses, but the wintering problem must be met in 

 all sections of the state, and be faced every winter. While the 

 professional bee keeper has learned to prepare his bees for winter 

 so carefully as to meet with little loss, the average small bee 

 keeper suffers seriously from this cause and in severe winters 

 occasionally loses a large part of his stock. 



This bulletin presents the best methods of a large number 

 of the most successful bee men, some of whom have had from 30 

 to 50 years' experience. These methods have stood the test of 

 time under Iowa conditions, and among them anyone may find 

 some plan that will meet his individual needs. 



ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESSFUL WINTERING. 



It is common to speak of the wintering of bees as though proper 

 protection were all of the problem. In fact, at least two other 

 things are of more importance : first, of course, a supply of food 

 large enough to last until the flowers bloom again ; next, a vigor- 

 ous young queen. After these, suitable protection should be 

 provided. 



Where the bees are unable to fly for long periods of time as 

 in winter, proper food is of great importance. Normally, the 

 bee voids its excrement only while on the wing. The wastes that 

 accumulate in its body during its long weeks of inactivity are a 

 severe tax at best and with poor food stores, the quantity be- 

 comes so great as to swell the abdomen to such a point as to 

 cause death. In mild winters, when there is opportunity for an 

 occasional flight, bees wintered out of doors will go through 

 safely on almost any kind of stores if the quantity is sufficient. 

 Bees wintered in cellars, or outside in severe weather, cannot be 

 expected to come through in good condition on poor stores. 



WHITE HONEY THE BEST WINTER FEED. 



The whiter the honey, as a rule, the less waste it contains, and 

 there is no better winter feed than Iowa white clover honey. 

 The dark fall honey, especially when mixed with pollen, is much 

 less desirable, and honey dew is very disastrous. It is a common 

 plan among practical apiarists, to extract all dark honey from 

 the combs late in the fall, and replace with combs of sealed white 

 honey, or to feed sugar syrup. The best grade of granulated 

 sugar should always be used for this purpose, as it makes a very 



