Title: Why is it Important to Merge Bee Colonies Before Wintering?
Hello fellow beekeepers, a few days ago, a beekeeper mentioned that he had a hive with only a little over a thousand bees, no brood, and the local temperature was only around 4-5 degrees Celsius. He asked if it was possible to merge the colonies. In fact, we do not recommend merging colonies under such conditions because during the wintering period, the temperature is low, and the bees have already clustered for winter. If the hive is opened for merging at this time, it may disrupt the temperature balance and cause damage to the colony.
So, when is it appropriate to merge bee colonies? Actually, we should merge the colonies before wintering, but pay attention that the timing of the merge is different from other times. Normally, we usually choose to merge colonies in the evening, but before wintering, when the temperature is lower, we generally choose to merge the colonies at noon when the temperature of the day is higher. Do you merge colonies during the wintering period? How is the effect? Welcome to discuss and leave a message in the comments section.
