You are probably relaxing indoors without a thought for the bees, right? Conscience clear, feet up and getting into that beekeeping book you got for Christmas or, in my case, gave yourself! 

Great! But before you get too comfortable, let’s check off you’ve completed your winter tasks…. 

• All equipment cleaned and repaired? If you tick this, you’re a better man than me but at least, a good start made… 
• Oxalic acid applied 
• In situ hives checked for subsidence of stands and animal (think woodpecker) interference? 

• Hives checked for weight (a wine ring in the back of the stand and a Samsonite luggage scales works) and fondant added if required 
• All this activity has been added to your records of course!
  

Check, check, check, check, check and check – give yourself a pat on the back.  

If you have green woodpecker damage, it may be too late for the hive but if you see them around and want to take pre-emptive action, wrap the hive in chicken wire. These birds only go for bees when the ground is frozen and they cannot get at the ants they like to eat so you are probably OK but, be aware of the issue. 

As for oxalic acid – when did you actually apply it? Many beekeepers apply it after Christmas. In my opinion, this can be too late (not always mind). Queens in mild winters can start laying as early as late December so really, you should apply your oxalic as soon as you are confident that the hive is brood free – possibly as early as late October so, if you’re like most beekeepers, make a mental note to do it earlier next year. 

Now you can relax and get into your book – mine this year is Tom Seeley’s Honeybee Democracy. A bit pricey but a great read even if he does tend to anthropomorphize them a bit.