Newbee question on winterization

[Bee Commander]

I run 8 frame hives and have a few hives that are 3 deeps high. Lots of bees, stores, and at this juncture are in good shape. Should I reduce them down to 2 deeps? I live in Northern Ca and we have fairly mild winters here. I was thinking I might take a box off with the excess stores and add them on to a couple of new hives (started in mid September) that are still singles. My question is: would the 3 high benefit from having less space and vice versa for the singles.

Thanks in advance

Laurie

[Perry]

Your climate conditions are a lot different than mine so hard to say. You mention your 3 high hive has "lots of bees" so one word of caution, lots of bees eat lots of stores. Be careful if you decide to remove it, making sure there is enough left behind.

[efmesch]

Like Perry "hinted", your question is one of a local nature----the best answer can  only be provided by beekeepers in your neck of the woods.  They'll know what is needed to best prepare for a successful wintering where you are.  Sometimes small distances can have a major influence on climate.  Do you have any local bee clubs in your neighborhood?  Even if you are active on one or more bee forums, contact with beekeepers in your area would be invaluable.

[apisbees]

You are in central California so feeding in every month is possible if need be. Whether to reduce the space or not depends on the bee population. if in the 3 super high colonies the bees are clustered in the 2nd super then remove the lower empty super. You don't want to leave them any more space than they can protect. Especially below them. singles will overwinter well in your area so rather than adding a hole super of honey a few frames could be added to hives that are light on stores. Remember that bees need empty comb cluster space to survive the cold so don't over pack the brood chamber with honey. Using 8 frame supers I would watch the hives closely doing the heft test to make sure that the haven't depleted their stores. With 2 less frames in a super it means 12 lbs. less honey in the super.

[Bee Commander]

Thanks for all the replies, help a lot!