It has been another tough year. Catching swarms, teaching, buying more equipment and yes losing some hives.
The Spring was very wet. It rained every other day (at least!) This washed out much of the nectar from the flowers that were blooming. It is hard to gauge, but it did affect the spring flow. I will never understand how one hive can be at the brink of starvation and the one right next to it is overflowing with foraged nectar.
I know that some will say…it is because of the queen, but I’m not sure that I believe or understand that statement.
October – The Fall of 2024 – a time to get the bees ready for winter. I am having to feed this year due to the situation that I explained above. I did not take any honey this year. I took honey from the over achievers and shared it with those that did not get out and get their own. (my apiary is starting to resemble our government)
Once I have the bees fed up, I will wrap them. I usually do not do that until November. I want to use all the nice warm days to feed them. After the temps drop below 50 degrees in the daytime, the bees can no longer process the sugar syrup.
I’ve used this chart that I made many years ago, to determine what much food each hive has.
These are measurements for a Southern hive. Those in the north might need a little more.
This is also the season for robbers. When you are feeding sugar syrup, everybody wants some. I have seen lots of Yellow Jackets and a few hornets.
So on to November!!! MBGA – Make Beekeeping Great Again!!!!
Namaste!!
