Wake County Beekeepers Association

The colony’s population continues to drop.

Drones are still around, but the workers will soon lose interest in feeding them.

The outside activity is beginning to slow down until fall nectar flow begins.

Bees may become defensive.

Weaker colonies may get robbed

Bearding bees are good (strong colony)

There is not much chance of swarming this month.

Watch out for honey robbing by wasps or other bees.

You can do a fall re- queening this month or in early September. Queens may be a little less expensive this time of year.

Attend your bee club meetings.

Inspections should be quick to limit robbing risk

Assessing queen performance is critical. Re- queen if required (requires mated queen)

Watch for excessive hive beetle populations

Watch for wax moth signs

Late fall re-queening if she is under performing (requires mated queen)

Last chance for queens from most breeders.

Natural for queens to slow production.

Nectar dearth in many areas, may begin to ease late in the month

Goldenrod, 8/1 – 10/15; Snowpeas before 8/14; Stickweed after 8/14

Feed 1 to 1 or maybe 2 to 1 sugar water

Caution on feeding pollen because of abundant hive beetles.

Do not over harvest

Keep water available constantly

Pest controls are critical this month.

Check varroa mite levels, treat if necessary (unless you plan to harvest honey)

Hive beetles population peak.

Increased risk of wax moth infestations.

Yellow jacket robbing.

Late season splits still possible (requires mated queen)

Continue use of reduced entrances for robbing prevention.

Look out for empty brood boxes or frames. Reduce numbers of brood boxes as needed

Lower chance of swarming thru the end of the year

Harvest as appropriate but do not over harvest.

Only those that waited and didn’t feed with supers on can harvest in August, however, bees will gather from non-floral sources once the dearth starts. I recommend removing supers in June to avoid this.

Melt down wax from cappings or crushed comb and culled frames.