Reducing Hive Space
Arbeiten am Bienenstand
Before winter, every colony gets exactly as much space as it can occupy.
Before winter, every colony gets exactly as much space as it can occupy. Combs not covered by bees cool down, go moldy at the edges, and become a target for wax moths. A compact cluster also helps the summer treatment against the Varroa mite, because the evaporated active ingredients spread better.
Empty, old, and poorly drawn combs are removed, and surplus boxes are taken off. When wintering in two boxes, it is usually enough to remove one or two outer combs per box; anyone who reduces further takes away the colony's food stores. The stores belong above and beside the winter cluster so that it does not move into empty space during frost.
Reduce according to bees, not combs: whatever is densely occupied in the evening stays. And do not leave the removed combs lying around. Melt down combs that have held brood, dark combs, and irregular combs promptly; store light combs that have never held brood in a cool, airy, mouse-proof place.