Dear Beekeepers,

This is a quick email to give you some advice about preparing for the atmospheric river starting tomorrow, which includes lots of rain and possible high winds.
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​How does a storm affect the bees? If you've left them honey, they have food for the adult bees to eat inside the hive. The bees only have a 3-day supply of pollen inside the hive, and the storm will keep them from foraging to replenish pollen. Pollen is what they feed the larvae (or next generation of bees). Big hives will cut back on raising brood during days they can't forage & will be fine. Small hives can be in dire straits when they can't forage.

Here are my recommendations for Storm Preparation:

Feed SMALL Hives Pollen Patty

• A Small hive is 1 box of bees of less, though a 2 box hive with a scant population could also benefit from feeding before a multi-day storm.
• Feed 1/4 pollen patty on the top bars where the bees are. Cut into small pieces (see photo to right) to prevention hive beetles from laying eggs in center of patties.
• In a pinch, you can instead put pollen patty bits on top of inner cover.
• Timing: If you fed a small hive this past weekend, you are good, but may want to add some more on Thursday or Saturday when it looks like there will be a break in the rains. If you haven't fed a small hive in a week, then I would feed today or Thursday.

Re-apply Ant Protection (especially small hives)​
The ants love to move into a warm, dry hive with honey when it rains. Make sure your ant protection is good, especially for small hives that don't have the energy to waste on defense.

Tilt Hive Forward If You Have SOLID Bottom Board​
If you have a solid bottom board, you want to make sure your hive is tilted forward, so water can't pool in the back of the hive. Instead the water will flow out at the entrance. People have had hives die or abscond because of this, so I recommend screened bottom boards, so you can't make this mistake.

Put a Ratchet Strap Around the Hive (or at least weigh it down with bricks)​
Two hives in the East Bay hills fell over during the strong winds of an atmospheric river in March of 2023. You don't want to go out in a storm with cranky bees to put your hive back together, believe me. Hives have also been knocked over by falling trees. I highly recommend putting a ratchet strap around your hive. This may prevent it from falling. If it does fall, it'll stay together (mostly) and protect the bees & queen from the elements. If you can't get a ratchet strap on today, make it goal for this winter, and at least put some bricks/rocks on top of the hive. That will keep the lid from blowing off. I know we try to not think about earthquakes, but a ratchet strap is going to protect your bees from that situation as well. Never used a ratchet strap? They are handy things to get to know how to use (watch a few youtube videos).

2025 BEE MENTORSHIP - Applications Open!​
If you love bees & really want to get to know them, this is the program for you! From February to October, we have a monthly in-person hive inspection plus Zoom classes. You can also text/email me questions about your hive(s) throughout. Your hives will not only live over winter, but they will likely multiple as we make splits in the spring. I have spots in my 1st year & 2nd year mentorships.
​Read over the description & fill out quick application (link at bottom of description)!​
​Apply ASAP for the 2nd mentorship as I only have a couple of spots & they will fill quickly!

FOR MORE BEE HELP, join my Bee Circle:

• My Bee Circle includes a monthly bee clinic on Zoom where you can ask questions about your hive(s)! The December circle will be Tuesday, December 3rd, 6-7:30pm. For December, I'll be talking about monitoring hives with infrared cameras and broodminder. Then, I'll answer questions about your hives. If you can't make it live, you can send questions ahead of time and listen to the recording. Membership also includes a great library of short how-to beekeeping videos. It's $25 monthly to join (unsubscribe anytime). Click here to join!​

Lots of Love to you and your bees! -Jennifer

Jennifer Radtke, Learn from the Bees​
​Mentorships, Education, & Advice for Urban Beekeeping in the Unique SF Bay Area Climate

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