oh and don't forget

make sure that each hive gets AT LEAST ONE batch of "MEDICATED" sugar syrup. fumagilin helps protect the bees against dysentery....a REAL PROBLEM for overwintering bees (remember - they're "holding it".

i think this is a good idea anyway - in that - SUGAR SYRUP is NO SUBSTITUTE for the REAL STUFF (nectar/honey) they store away. when their diet is switched to sugar syrup...and they come across and consume those sugar syrup cells during the winter - the lack of "true nutrients" might compromise their immune systems.

let them pack away some medicated cells for the winter.