What should be avoided when treating bees for pests in the fall?

Leaving honey supers on during fall treatment for pests is to be avoided because it may lead to contamination of the honey with treatment chemicals. When beekeepers apply mite treatments, such as chemical or organic substances, there is a risk of these substances remaining in the honey super. This poses a significant issue for both honey quality and safety for consumers. In addition, removing honey supers allows the colony to focus on preparing for winter, without the distraction of storing honey and dealing with superfluous space. Removing the honey supers also minimizes potential impacts on the bees’ ability to clean and manage their hive effectively as they transition into the colder months.

In contrast, insulating the hive, checking for Varroa mites, and feeding the bees can be important practices during fall to ensure the health of the colony throughout winter. Insulation helps maintain temperature, monitoring for Varroa mites is critical for colony health, and feeding can provide necessary resources as food sources dwindle.