Why put colonies in cold storage to overwinter?

• Prevent foragers with mites (FWM) from entering hives and re-infesting treated colonies in the fall.

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• Lack of flowering plants means that colonies need to be fed throughout the winter.
  
  

Many holding yards lack adequate bee forage. This is a typical overwintering site in the Central Valley, CA. Because of the lack of forage, bees must be fed food supplements throughout the winter. 

Colony's must be fed with protein supplements when flowering plants are not available.

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• Climate variability and warmer fall and winter weather causes bees to forage during the fall and winter. Late season foraging corrupts the age structure in a colony, causing the population to crash in the spring.