Following the late-season harvest of thyme and pine honey, the beehives are moved to the pollen-laden blossoms of autumn: common ivy (Hedera helix), rough bindweed (Smilax aspera), false yellowhead, or yellow fleabane (Dittrichia viscosa), autumn (or bell) heather (Erica manipuliflora), carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), etc. Bees regroup

and prepare for winter by creating new populations, and by storing honey and pollen.

The queen bees undergo an intense period of laying eggs, stimulated by the conveyance of an abundance of pollen into the hive. The emerging honey bees have a developed fatty tissue rich in vitellogenin (a glycolipoprotein that contributes to the longevity of the honey bee).

The work carried out by the beekeeper during this period in the apiary are as follows: a) organic treatment for the varroa mite (Varroa destructor) using organic acids, specifically oxalic acid dihydrate and formic acid; b) the addition of frames to the hives and the moderate feeding of the colony where necessary. As the weather gradually cools down, cohesive, healthy hives are desired in preparation for overwintering.

If there is enough rainin October and the weather is favourable, at the onset of November we may harvest a bit of heather honey from the more developed beehives where there is a surplus.
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