The garden beekeeper's colonies have now been winterized: they were treated with formic acid against the varroa mite and fed sugar syrup. Now they are no longer disturbed until spring, except for a short oxalic acid treatment for residual mitigation around the winter solstice at the end of December.

The last rays of the low-lying sun touch the boxes. In mild weather, the bees fly only sporadically, but still bring pollen to the hive, which they need as protein feed, especially in the coming spring. They make final preparations for the winter and transport their deceased sisters outside.

With your hand on the foil you can feel the warmth in the hive.