There are only a few more days left in the year. It's the season when we start to miss our futons.

The first snow has been observed in the Aso area, and the cold weather is finally starting to feel real.

The snow piled up on top of the hives signals the arrival of winter at SUGI BEE GARDEN.

Honeybees are sensitive to temperature, so this year the beekeeping staff are working hard every day to prepare for winter.

First, the hives that were kept in a cool location at a high altitude during the summer are moved to a lower altitude to be in a warmer location.

We have moved the hives from the Aso area of Kumamoto Prefecture to near the city. We move dozens of hives from high ground to low ground every day.

After being transported, the bees are then sent to beekeeping facilities across the prefecture to prepare for winter.

This time, we will introduce two ways to protect hives, where honeybees live, from the cold.

① A bedding for the hive?! ~Put a piece of paper between the lid and the frame~

There are ventilation holes on both sides of the hive lid, so we block them with cardboard to prevent the cold air from reaching the frames (living area) where the bees live.

By placing a layer of cardboard inside to act as an inner lid to keep things warm, it becomes easier to maintain warmth in the living area.

The paper we use is made from recycled feed bags that have been cut into pieces the size of a hive.

② Block out drafts! ~ Put a shutter on the hive entrance ~

Attach a board to the hive entrance, which is the entrance to the hive.

It is easy to install and acts like a shutter to protect you from rain and wind.

After completing the above cold weather measures, we check on the bees regularly to see if there are any changes.

Just like us, bees don't like the cold.

Beekeeping staff are working hard every day to help the bees survive the winter safely.

(A sea of clouds photographed at a bee farm in Aso at around 7am. Beautiful.)