Fall is well established in the bee yard. Frost and colder nights has ended the flowers and feeding opportunities for the year. My hives are on the course that they will take and little can be done between now and early Spring. I’ve been a little slow in removing the last of the feeders so the weekend has that chore scheduled. Weather forecast is for low 60s around noon. Could I get one quick peek into the hive?

I’ve gotten a few questions on Winter insulating and wind breaks neither of which I use for my hives. I leave the screen bottom boards fully open and have a home made vent shim under the top cover. This vent shim has a one inch screened opening that allows for a bit of air flow up and out of the hives. I use it year around.