🍁 October Beekeeping Guide: Feed, Monitor & Tidy for Winter

As autumn deepens, colony activity slows right down, and your focus now turns to protection, monitoring, and support through the colder months. While most of the season’s hands-on work is done, October is not the time to down tools completely. Your bees are depending on you to give them the best shot at a strong overwintering period. Let’s get into it.

🍯 Final Checks & Feeding

Your bees are entering their winter cluster phase, relying solely on their food stores to survive until spring. It’s critical to assess stores and ensure they have enough.

What to do: 

• Heft the hive. If it feels light, feed!
• Add fondant or candy boards on top of the crown board or directly above the cluster.
• Avoid syrup feeding at this point unless the weather is still very mild.
• A colony will typically need 2–2.5kg of fondant per month through winter (so plan for approx. 10–15kg total, depending on conditions and hive strength).

🛠️ Tip: Use insulated crown boards and add ekes if needed to fit fondant packs.

🐝 Monitor Entrance Activity

Activity will be reduced, but your bees should still be visible on warmer days taking cleansing flights. It’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble: 

• Dead bees building up at the entrance
• Wasps or robbing behaviour
• Bees looking distressed or clustered outside the hive

🐭 Fit Mouseguards

Now’s the time to make sure your colonies are protected from unwelcome visitors! 

Mice love warm hives and can destroy comb and disturb your cluster. Fit mouseguards across all entrances and check they are secure. Reduce entrances for smaller colonies as well.

🦟 A Note on Asian Hornets

You’ve likely seen the recent confirmed sightings of Asian Hornets in Ireland, which is worrying news for all pollinators, especially honeybees. These invasive hornets are a serious predator and can decimate entire hives.

We are currently stocking VespaCatch traps, a simple way to help monitor and reduce risk in your area. 

 📍 If you're in a southern county or anywhere near the coast, we recommend setting traps early in the season next year. But it's worth having a few on hand or reporting any potential sightings to: 👉 www.biodiversityireland.ie

🧹 Tidy the Apiary

You may not be visiting your bees as frequently, but it’s good practice to keep your apiary in order:

• Check roofs are secure and waterproof
• Remove any unused equipment or empty boxes
• Ensure the ground is tidy and clear of weeds
• Strap hives if you’re in a windy area
• Check insulation or wraps if using them

🌿 What’s in Bloom?

Very little now, but Ivy is in full bloom in many parts of Ireland and offers an excellent late nectar and pollen source. You might see your bees out foraging on ivy flowers on warmer days — a lovely sight!

👀 Looking Ahead to November

Coming up next: 

• Continue fondant feeding if needed
• Check on hive entrances after storms
• Wrap up any winter prep
• Place your final equipment orders before the Christmas rush
• Start planning for next season!

NEED HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?

💛 Thanks for checking in with your bees this October. They may be quiet, but your support now helps them make it through to brighter days. As always, we’re here if you need anything — from fondant and mouse guards to winter gear or advice.