My northern bees survived very well this winter, too. I wish I could take
credit for it, but I think our lack of a real Alaska winter had as much to
do with it as anything. The bees did overwinter mostly on unnatural sugar
syrup and were treated with Fumidil late last summer/early fall. Not a
natural product for the bees, but winter before last I tried overwintering
a hive on natural dark honey (much of it was honeydew). By midwinter the
inside of that hive looked and smelled like an old uncleaned barn. Of those
that did die this past season, well there is that old adage of taking your
losses in the fall on hives that are less than robust. I didn't follow that
and took those losses this spring. I'm hoping for a really genuine cold
northern winter next year to see if I can routinely get bees through the
winter here in Anchorage.
Regards,
Dick Allen

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