Practical Guide: 4.3 Overwintering of a colony

Wintering is a crucial phase in the beekeeping year and largely determines the development of colonies in the following spring. It depends on colonies that are healthy, sufficiently strong, and properly prepared. The information below is based on the official BGD/SSA checklist 4.3 and summarizes the key points for successful wintering.

Official Practical Guide (BGD / SSA) – Summary

Practical Guide: 4.3 Overwintering

• Definition: Overwintering encompasses all measures aimed at enabling a bee colony to pass through winter in good health and functional condition.
• Overwintering objectives:
  • Maintaining a viable colony through to spring.
  • Ensuring sufficient food stores.
  • Minimising stress and health risks.
• Prerequisites:
  • Healthy colonies with low varroa infestation and sufficient strength.
  • A young, productive queen.
  • Varroa treatments completed in good time.
• Essential measures:
  • Adequate feeding with good-quality stores.
  • Adjustment of hive volume to colony strength.
  • Maintenance of dry, well-ventilated conditions.
  • Minimising disturbances to the colony during winter.
• Winter monitoring:
  • Checking entrances to prevent blockages.
  • Observing the hive floor insert and flight activity on mild days.
  • Avoiding unnecessary interventions in the hive.

► Open the official Practical Guide PDF (FR)

► To the official Practical Guides page (abeilles.ch)
Note: Section Beekeeping Management → 4.3 "Overwintering".

Summary prepared on the basis of Practical Guide 4.3. Last verified: 01/2026.

See also:

• Successful overwintering
• Which syrup to choose for winter feeding
• The recommended varroa treatment regimen increases colony survival
• Practical Guide: 4.8.2 Hive floor debris check
• The fascinating secrets of reading hive debris