The colony is now at or near it's peak population. You will
probably notice bees bearding up on the front entrace of the hive
in the evenings. This is simply the bees way of cooling the hive
on these hot summer days. However, too many bees may be an
indication of poor ventiliation or a lack of room in the hive. If
needed, add a super (there is still time to fill it up) or give more
ventilation by propping the cover up about a 1/4".
Add supers as needed but keep in mind that harvest time is fast
approaching. If needed, harvest full supers now to make room.
Use shallow or medium supers instead of deep or provide the
supers with drawn out foundation.
The mite population will also be booming at this time (in 2nd
year colonies) so don't forget to check mite counts and be
prepared to treat AFTER the honey comes off. |
Be prepared for harvest time next month; order bottles & caps,
buckets and whatever else you may need for the harvest season.
You don't want to wait until last minute and have full supers
setting around with nowhere to put the honey.
Watch for robbing acitivity from other bees or wasps. The end
of summer is when other, stronger hives or wasps/hornets will
attempt to steal honey from weaker hives. If necessary, reduce
the entrace of the hive being robbed to help them defend the hive
more easily.
This is the month when the winter bees are being laid; near the
end of the month. Ensure a strong winter colony by checking the
food stores starting at the end of this month; there should be
plenty of food in the brood boxes. Remember that a strong hive
going into winter with plenty of food will ensure a strong hive
coming out in the spring and that means more honey next year.
Now is the time to ensure that your bees will have enough
room to last the summer but not so much that they can't fill the
supers before harvest time. Follow the rule of 7/10; if 7 of the 10
frames are fully capped, add another super (early in the month).
If it is later in the month, leave them be as they can begin to fill
the bottom brood chambers with winter stores.
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