See: May
This month it’s typical to see the colony population peak as the hive is continually building first or second box building food storage.
If your colony has experienced a supersedure, your bees have a lot of additional work to do with a virgin queen in a caste to ensure the colony grows to a sufficient size to gather stores to survive the winter.
Summertime is “all systems go” for the collection of pollen and nectar, as well as for the production of honey. Continue checking for frames nearing capacity and consider adding an additional box or consider splitting your hive at this time.
Continue checking the hive every 10 days for pests, brood pattern and honey production. When the hive approaches 80 lbs and all frames are 85% full, stop feeding and work at growing your hive.
Switch out full frames in your medium honey box/super for empty frames so bees can continue building comb and depositing honey. Put full frames in an empty box and transport to where you can begin harvesting. It’s a great idea to distinguish between each hive’s honey that you harvest by labeling the hive/box as well as the honey bottle so you know where and when the honey came from.
In particularly hot weather, provide shade and adequate water. You can also provide more ventilation by spacing frames further apart. You can add wood shims underneath the top for additional ventilation.
Keep weeds away from hives to prevent pests from hiding nearby.
Estimated time (4-5 hours):
- Switch out frames and add honey supers as needed to keep up with production
- Inspect and treat for mites or other pests
- Harvest full honey frames
- Check queen for brood pattern
- Ensure bees have water source
Purchase:
- Tools & Clothing - as needed
- Honey Harvesting Tools & Equipment
- Additional deep boxes and frames as needed
Get all this information and more in our Free Beginner Beekeeping Guide!
