appropriate winter stores?

[wildbeekeeper]

I know this is a little early, but how do you know how much honey to leave for your bees for overwintering?  How do yo know how much you can take off?  Do you leave 1 super?  and take the rest?  thanks!

[jdpro5010]

60 to 80lbs. is generally enough in our region.  That is basically a deep of honey or maybe a little shy of that.  That is what I try to leave every fall and have had very little problems when this is done.

[wildbeekeeper]

ok thats what i was thinking as well....im sure i read it somewhere on here!  my first two package hives are doing well and i just added a second super since they have all the lower drawn out and i have two swarms from this year that i will have to check on this weekend but im just thinkin ahead :)

[jdpro5010]

I am just 40 mins N.E of you and even with the cooler temps and rain the bees are really packing it in right now.  So I would assume this is good comb drawing and start time for packages.  Good luck!

[Brian D. Bray]

If you have the equivalent of 2 deeps backfilled with honey (approx 80 lbs) you should be good for the winter most anywhere in the USA including Alaska.