BeezKnees

A Year in the Apiary - November Beekeeping Tasks (UK)

November overview – quiet hives and careful checks

As autumn draws to a close in the UK, temperatures drop, days shorten and your bees form a tighter cluster inside the hive. By November, most of the active hive manipulations are finished. Your job now is mainly to monitor from outside, make sure each colony has enough food and that every hive is secure, dry and protected from pests.

It is also a perfect time to step back and review the season – looking at what went well, what you might change, and what equipment or training you want for next year. A few simple checks now will help your colonies reach spring in good condition, ready to build up again when the weather warms.

If you follow the full Year in the Apiary, November is the start of the quiet winter phase, with a shift from active inspections to gentle monitoring and planning ahead.

Checking winter stores and using fondant

The main question in November is: do my colonies have enough food? Most of the nectar flow is long finished, and bees are relying on the stores they built up in late summer and autumn or on the syrup you have already fed. A typical full-sized colony in the UK may need around 20–25 kg of stores to reach spring, depending on hive type, strength and local climate.

You can assess stores by:

  • Hefting the hive at the back or one side to judge weight, comparing between hives and with your notes from earlier months.
  • Watching for any signs of bees searching frantically for food on mild days, which may suggest that stores are low.

By November, it is usually too cold in many parts of the UK for further liquid syrup feeding. Instead, beekeepers keep fondant ready as a top-up or emergency feed:

  • Place a block of fondant directly above the cluster, over the brood frames or feed hole in the crownboard.
  • Cut a slit in the wrapping so bees can access it without it drying out too quickly.
  • Cover with an empty super or eke and replace the roof.
  • Check occasional hive weight and top up fondant over the winter if a colony feels light.

Fondant is particularly useful if you have any colonies that went into winter slightly underweight, or if prolonged cold weather later on prevents bees from moving to fresh stores.

Weatherproofing hives for winter

November is a good moment to double-check the weatherproofing you started in October. winter storms, heavy rain and occasional snow can all put stress on hives and stands.

  • Make sure roofs are sound and watertight. Repair any splits, loose metal covers or damaged corners.
  • Check that hives are strapped or weighted down to withstand strong winds.
  • Confirm that stands are stable, level and raised off the damp ground.
  • Tilt hives slightly forwards so any condensation or rainwater runs out of the entrance rather than pooling inside.

Poly hives generally have excellent built-in insulation. Wooden hives may benefit from extra insulation above the crownboard, but remember that ventilation and moisture control are just as important as keeping the cold out. For more on cleaning and caring for hive hardware, see Hive Hygiene.

Mice, woodpeckers and other winter pests

As the weather gets colder, other animals start to see hives as attractive winter shelters or food sources. In the UK, two of the main concerns are mice and, in some areas, woodpeckers.

Mice:

  • By November, mouse guards should already be fitted to all hives.
  • Check that guards are secure and that there are no gaps at the corners of floors or under boxes.
  • Keep grass and vegetation around stands cut back to make the area less attractive for rodents.

Woodpeckers:

  • In areas where green woodpeckers are common, consider wrapping hives in wire mesh or netting to prevent pecking damage to boxes.
  • Avoid leaving individual hives isolated in exposed spots where birds may focus their attention.

By this time of year, wasp pressure is usually much reduced, but continue to keep the apiary tidy and avoid leaving comb or cappings lying around that might attract scavengers.

Varroa monitoring and winter treatment planning

Most main varroa treatments should already have been completed earlier in the autumn so that winter bees were raised under low-mite conditions. In November, you are mainly in a monitoring and planning phase.

  • Keep an eye on natural mite drop on monitoring boards if you are using them.
  • Note any worrying signs, such as deformed wings or crawling bees outside the hive, although these are less common once brood rearing has slowed.

Many UK beekeepers plan an oxalic acid treatment later in winter when colonies are brood-light, often around December or January. For more detailed guidance on approved treatments and monitoring methods, see the Varroa Management page and official sources such as BeeBase.

Reduced inspections and observing from outside

In November, full brood inspections are neither necessary nor desirable – opening hives too often can disturb the cluster and let precious heat escape. Instead, you monitor mostly from the outside:

  • Heft hives occasionally to monitor weight and decide if fondant is needed.
  • On mild days, watch for light flight activity as bees take cleansing flights.
  • Check entrances are clear of dead bees or debris and that mouse guards are still in place.
  • Look and listen for any unusual signs – persistent loud roaring, hive damage, or signs of vandalism.

Only open a hive in November if you have a very specific reason, such as placing fondant or resolving a clear problem. Work quickly and gently to minimise chilling.

Reviewing records and planning for next season

The quieter months are the perfect time to review your beekeeping records and decide what you would like to improve or change. Look back over notes from spring and summer:

  • Which colonies were strong, healthy and productive – and potential candidates for queen rearing?
  • Which colonies were temperamental or prone to swarming and might be requeened?
  • Did you have enough equipment at the right times, or did you find yourself short of boxes or frames?

You can also use this time to:

Association meetings, events and learning

Many local associations hold winter meetings, talks and workshops once the active season is over. November is a good time to:

  • Attend talks on disease recognition, queen rearing, honey processing or other topics that interest you.
  • Discuss the season with more experienced beekeepers and compare notes.
  • Begin or continue formal training, such as study groups for written modules.

Extra reading, webinars and association events all help you refine your practice, and you can follow up by exploring the guides in the Beekeeping section of this site.

Planning your garden and forage for the bees

Even though your bees are mostly inside the hive, you can still help them in future by improving forage around your apiary. November is a good time to:

  • Finish planting spring bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops, grape hyacinths and other early flowers.
  • Review your garden plan with ideas from Bee Gardening.
  • Think about adding shrubs and trees that provide nectar and pollen across the season.

Small improvements in local forage can make a big difference to colony build-up in spring and help support other pollinators too. See Help the Bees for more ideas.

Common beginner mistakes in November

  • Not hefting hives regularly and missing signs of dwindling stores.
  • Trying to carry on with frequent inspections instead of letting colonies rest.
  • Leaving roofs unstrapped or unweighted going into stormy weather.
  • Forgetting to check that mouse guards are on and secure.
  • Ignoring damaged or rotten stands that could fail under winter load.
  • Putting off reviewing records and planning until spring, rather than using the quiet months productively.

If you are unsure about winter preparation, your local association, mentor or our guides on Hive Management, Hive Hygiene and Bee Gardening can all help.

November beekeeping FAQs (UK)

What are the main beekeeping tasks in November in the UK?

Your main tasks are checking hive weight and winter stores, adding fondant if colonies feel light, ensuring hives are weatherproof and secure, monitoring for pests such as mice and woodpeckers, and reviewing your records and plans for next season.

Should I feed fondant to my bees in November?

Fondant is often used from November onwards as an emergency or top-up feed, especially when it is too cold for bees to process syrup. Heft your hives and place fondant above the cluster on those that feel light.

Do I still need to open my hives in November?

No frequent full inspections are needed. Most monitoring is done from outside by hefting, watching entrance activity and checking for damage. Only open a hive briefly if you need to add fondant or address a specific concern.

How can I protect my hives from winter storms?

Make sure each hive is on a stable, raised stand, the roof is watertight, and the hive is strapped or weighted down. A slight forward tilt helps water run out of the entrance rather than collecting inside.

Why are mouse guards important at this time of year?

Mice look for warm nesting sites in autumn and winter. Without guards they can enter hives, destroy comb and disturb the cluster. Mouse guards allow bees to fly while keeping rodents out.

Is November a good time to treat for varroa?

Most main varroa treatments should have been completed earlier. In November you mainly monitor levels and plan a suitable mid-winter oxalic acid treatment when colonies are brood-light, following approved methods and guidance.

What planning can I do now for the next beekeeping season?

Review your records, decide which colonies you might breed from, plan equipment purchases, book association events or training, and explore the Beekeeping Guides for ideas to refine your management next year.