Winter Preparation • UK

Practical steps to reduce winter losses: feeding, insulation, hive checks, and ensuring strong colonies going into the cold months.

Preparing Bees for Winter in the UK

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Preparing Bees for Winter (UK)

UK checklist for winter-ready colonies: feeding, mite control, stores, ventilation, and equipment. Includes options for Overwintered Flow Hive nucs and Overwintered nucs Dorset with UK-mated queens.

When to start Target stores & feeding Varroa timing Equipment & entrances Notes for Flow Hive users Winter FAQs
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Popular queries we serve: Overwintered nucs Dorset, Overwintered Flow Hive nucs, and Order Flow Hive nuc online UK.

When to start (UK)

The window is late summer to early autumn: remove honey supers, assess stores, treat for varroa (as per label), and ensure a strong, healthy cluster before cold sets in.

Target stores & feeding

  • Target stores: Many UK beekeepers aim for ~18–20 kg of honey/syrup in the brood area (local forage and hive type vary).
  • Feed type: Heavy sugar syrup (or fondant once cold). For Flow users, feeding is on the brood boxes, not the Flow super.
  • Timing: Feed promptly after the final harvest to avoid wasp pressure and cold weather.
Important: Remove honey supers (including Flow supers) before applying any chemical treatment. Do not feed through Flow frames.

Varroa management (post-harvest + mid-winter)

The two high-impact treatment windows are immediately after your last harvest and again mid-winter when brood is minimal/broodless. See our detailed guide: When to Treat for Varroa (UK).

Equipment, entrances & ventilation

  • Entrance: Reduce and secure against wasps/mice; fit mouseguards as needed.
  • Ventilation: Keep the roof weathertight; ensure a dry hive with minimal draughts.
  • Insulation: Consider an insulated crownboard/cover board; avoid chilling the cluster.
  • Weight checks: Periodically heft to confirm stores; top up with fondant if light.

Notes for Flow Hive users

  • Remove the Flow super: After your last harvest, take off the Flow super for winter.
  • Queen placement: Keep the queen in Langstroth brood boxes under a queen excluder during the season; the Flow super is for honey only.
  • Spring restart: Refit the Flow super when brood boxes are strong and a nectar flow begins.
✅ Looking for a ready-to-go colony? Explore our Overwintered Flow Hive nucs and Overwintered nucs Dorset — UK-mated queens, disease-checked stock, Dorset-based with UK delivery.

Winter FAQs

Can I order an overwintered Flow Hive nuc for spring installation?

Yes — we prepare Langstroth nucs suited to Flow Hive systems with UK-mated queens. See our Overwintered Flow Hive nucs or order directly from Buy Langstroth Nucs for Flow Hive (UK).

Do you supply overwintered nucs in Dorset?

Yes — we are Dorset-based and supply overwintered nucs locally and across the UK.

What’s the safest Varroa schedule around winter?

Treat immediately after your last harvest with supers removed, then again mid-winter when colonies are brood-minimal or broodless. See our full guide: When to Treat for Varroa (UK).

Should I leave any Flow frames on over winter?

No — remove the Flow super for winter. Run the colony on brood boxes only and refit the Flow super in spring when the colony is strong and a nectar flow begins.

🔗 Related: Buy Langstroth nucs for Flow Hive beekeeping · Set Up a Flow Hive Nuc (UK) · When to Treat for Varroa