Changes in weather can interfere with our bees’ ability to forage for nectar, as well as the amount of nectar-producing flowers that are available to the honey bees. It is not uncommon for the nectar flow to “dry up” in August, in New Brunswick. Bees don’t usually produce much extra honey in this part of the season — but this year, the food supply situation for bees is getting critical.
Fletcher Colpitts, Chief Apiary Inspector, and Michel Melanson, P. Ag., Crop Development Specialist – Blueberry/Apiculture, for New Brunswick, have just sent out this advisory to beekeepers:
At this time of the year, bees usually do not produce much surplus honey. This year however, the nectar flow is not even adequate to supply the daily requirement of the adult bees in the colony in some regions.
A few beekeepers have observed that the older bees may be eating the eggs, young larvae, and in severe cases, chewing the wax capping to eat the older larvae.
Beekeepers that have removed the honey super, supplementary feeding is definitely required, especially in the Southern region. If you haven’t removed your honey super, make sure that honey supers have adequate amount of honey stored. There are confirmed cases where bees have starved and may continue to do so unless supplement feeding is done immediately.
If the case where supplementary feeding is required, you should mix sugar:water at a ratio of 2:1 or 1:1. Continue to do this until possible return of nectar flow. Normal winter feeding may have to be started early if fall nectar flow does not come.
This is also a good time to verify your mite population. The opportunity may be taken now to apply Formic Acid for varroa control because there is a break in the nectar flow.
Written by beekeepers
Topics: How to Keep Bees