Bee Keeping - September and October

When the surplus honey has been removed it is time to feed any light hives with extra food to get them through the winter. A special invert syrup which is easy for them to digest is provided, which they store in the combs just like honey, and from where it can be used as needed.

The Varroa mite, an exotic and destructive parasite recently arrived in Scotland, is one of the many bee diseases that must be confronted each the year. It cannot be eradicated and must be controlled with medication. This is administered after the heather honey has been removed.

Last job of the season is to take all the beehives back to sheltered winter quarters on low ground where they may better weather storm and ice, ready to face another year and another chapter in the amazing story of Heather Hills honey.