This event is part of Project Bee.
“If the bee were to disappear off the face of the Earth, we would only have four years to live.”
Winter is coming!
Winter in Canada can be cold, snowy, and unrelenting. But imagine braving the elements as a bee?!?
During winter, instead of foraging for and storing food, the sole focus of the hive is to ensure the survival of the queen. As beekeepers, it’s our responsibility to properly prepare our hives for the frigid temperatures; otherwise we risk losing our colonies entirely. So grab your knitting needles and prepare to make tiny bee sweaters! Just kidding (but wouldn’t that be cute!)
What’s the buzz?
Participants will be guided through the overwintering process, including insulated wrapping and adequate ventilation, strapping and protection from strong winds and predators, and, perhaps most importantly, food supply.
We will finish off the workshop by discussing the many reasons that hives might not survive the harsh winter, from infestation to drastic temperature fluctuations to starvation, what to look out for, and what to do.
FACILITATOR
ALEX PEDERSEN is an avid beekeeper and a board member of the Limestone Beekeeper’s Guild. She took courses in apiculture at the University of Guelph’s Honeybee Research Centre as an undergrad student. Today, she and her partner keep hives north of Kingston to collect honey and other hive byproducts. Alex loves to talk about bees, honey, and the importance of pollinators for food production and environmental sustainability.
SUPPORTERS
We are able to offer this workshop for free thanks to support from the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, The Davies Charitable Foundation, and the Limestone Beekeepers’ Guild. Please show them some love!