In Central WI, I’ve kept bees in -30 F. I have Italians and Carnolians. Carnolians are more sturdy / cold tolerant. What kind to you have? The cold is not what kills the bees. Usually, it is moisture (condensation) and lack of stores. I would worry more about condensation if they entered winter with good stores. Are they wrapped with good insulation and a small opening top and bottom for ventilation? To make sure of the stores, you might want to move them to a lower elevation as soon as possible, although at your altitude, it is definitely possible. You might want to follow threads such as Keeping bees at high altitude and see what those folks do. We have freezing temps on and off from late August through mid-May. January is our coldest month and often we reach 35- 40 below.
]]>In Central WI, I’ve kept bees in -30 F. I have Italians and Carnolians. Carnolians are more sturdy / cold tolerant. What kind to you have? The cold is not what kills the bees. Usually, it is moisture (condensation) and lack of stores. I would worry more about condensation if they entered winter with good stores. Are they wrapped with good insulation and a small opening top and bottom for ventilation? To make sure of the stores, you might want to move them to a lower elevation as soon as possible, although at your altitude, it is definitely possible. You might want to follow threads such as Keeping bees at high altitude and see what those folks do. We have freezing temps on and off from late August through mid-May. January is our coldest month and often we reach 35- 40 below.
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