How to Overwinter Honey Bees in North Dakota

The Pasture, located near Cummings, ND, is our family farm, and we're Wayne and Becca Baumbach, the husband-wife team behind it all. Since purchasing our farmstead in 2018, we have removed thousands of pounds of debris, enhanced the soil with organic compost, and restored the property with native grasses, wildflowers, fruit trees, wildlife, and the rotational grazing of livestock. 

In the spring of 2023, we started a small honey operation to complement our meadows, planted with native wildflowers and grasses. The honey we harvest is a raw, wildflower honey that is light in color but rich in flavor. We overwinter our bees to prevent disease exposure that is common when transporting bees to places like California and Texas. Overwintering honey bees in North Dakota presents unique challenges due to our state's harsh winters. With freezing temperatures, strong winds, and extended periods of snow cover at The Pasture, we must take special precautions to ensure our bee colonies survive until spring. Proper preparation can make the difference between losing hives and having strong, healthy bees ready for our next season.

1. Choose the Right Bee Strain

Not all honey bee strains are equally suited to North Dakota’s climate. For example, Carniolan and Russian bees are known for their cold-hardiness and efficient wintering habits. These bees cluster tightly and conserve their food stores well, making them a good choice for overwintering in frigid conditions. It is important to research various strains and identify what beekeepers in your region may recommend, but an old beekeeper once told me, ‘they are all just mutts.” At our farm we use Italian bees that we source from Red River Valley Beekeepers. 

2. Provide Adequate Food Stores

It’s common practice to supplement bees in both spring and fall with sugar bricks or fondant when natural stores are insufficient. A colony should enter winter with at least 80–100 pounds of honey to survive the season. If using liquid feed, it must be given before temperatures drop consistently below 50°F to allow the bees time to process it properly. Spring feeding helps them increase their numbers and build new honey comb. Honey supers are not on the hives, ensuring that no sugar water reaches the honey that customers consume. 

3. Provide Proper Hive Insulation and Ventilation

North Dakota’s extreme cold necessitates insulating hives to reduce heat loss while maintaining proper ventilation to prevent condensation, which can be deadly. Beekeepers commonly use insulated wraps, foam board, or straw bales to shield hives from the wind. Upper ventilation holes or moisture quilts help wick away excess moisture, keeping the cluster dry.

4. Reduce Hive Entrances and Provide Windbreaks

Reducing the entrance to a small opening (about 3/8-inch) prevents drafts and helps keep rodents out. Placing hives near windbreaks, such as tree lines, buildings, or constructed barriers, helps to shield them from icy winds that could chill the colony.

5. Cluster Health and Mite Control

Ensuring colonies go into winter with a healthy population is critical. This includes treating Varroa mites in late summer or early fall. High mite loads weaken bees and increase the likelihood of winter losses. A final brood inspection before winter can help determine the overall health of the colony.

6. Monitor Throughout Winter

While hives should not be disturbed unnecessarily, occasional checks can ensure entrances are clear of snow and dead bees. Beekeepers can listen for buzzing by placing an ear against the hive or use infrared thermometers to gauge internal temperatures without opening the hive.

Even with proper maintenance and extra precautions, hive losses can be significant—sometimes up to half the hive. We're always learning new techniques to improve survival rates. Unfortunately, losses can vary, and we don’t know the full impact until we open the hives in April. This year, we've heard reports of severe losses across the country, with some large beekeepers losing their entire colonies.

7. Prepare for Spring Transition

As temperatures warm, supplemental feeding with pollen patties and sugar syrup can boost colony strength until natural nectar sources become available. Gradually increasing hive ventilation and checking for queen activity will help ensure a strong spring buildup. We typically open our hives and introduce additional bees in late April, ideally the temperatures should be above 55 degrees.

We encourage natural spring nectar sources on our property as well. We avoid mowing dandelions, as they provide an early source of food for the bees. We also plant and maintain an array of hardy wildflowers that bloom at different times of the season - from mid to late spring bloomers, such as baby's breath and cornflowers, and those that maintain blooms into the fall, like coneflowers, cosmos, and zinnias.

By following these steps, we can improve our chances of successfully overwintering our bee colonies. Thoughtful preparation and monitoring can lead to healthier, more productive bees in the spring, ready to pollinate crops and produce honey for the next season. If you are interested in overwintering your own hives, Dave Burns on YouTube has a lot of useful information. 

8. Benefits of Local Wildflower Honey.

Raw wildflower honey is unique in taste, structure, and texture, due to its polyfloral sources and the natural pollen, bee propolis, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals contained in the honey. It has many potential benefits, such as aiding in digestion and reducing inflammation. It also soothes sore throats, helps with allergies, and boosts energy. With a low glycemic index, it's a healthier alternative to sugar. Packed with nutrients, it’s a natural remedy for overall wellness and vitality.

Be aware as some commercial honey products contain additives like corn syrup to cut costs. These may be labeled as "honey blend" or "honey product," which can be misleading. The best way to ensure quality is to know your local farmers, ranchers, and beekeepers.