Calendar for the Management of Beekeeping
August
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From the Rev. Langstroth: In most regions there is but little forage for bees, during the latter part of July and the first part of August, and being on this account (they are) tempted to rob each other, the greatest precautions should be used in opening hives. In districts where buckwheat is extensively cultivated, bees will sometimes swarm when it comes into blossom, and in some seasons extraordinary supplies are obtained from it. I had a buckwheat swarm this year (1856) as late as the 16th of September! If any colonies are, in the expressive language of old Butler, "over fat," some of their full combs should now be removed. If the caps of the cells are carefully sliced off, with a very sharp knife, and the combs laid over a vessel, in some moderately warm place, and turned once, most of the honey will drain out of them, and they may be returned lo the bees, to be filled again. I know of scarcely any more profitable operation in the whole range of beekeeping, than this, when a fair price can be obtained for the liquid honey. The bee-keeper who has queenless stocks on hand in August, must expect as the result of his ignorance or neglect, either to have them robbed by other colonies, or destroyed by the moth. |
Apiary Activities for this Month
Continue to inspect colonies every 7-10 days
- Look for any signs of diseases, particularly American Foul Brood. (There are some who say that the inspection for AFB should be it's own inspection.)
- Test at least one hive in the apiary Varroa. Action is needed if the Varroa mite level is ≥ 2% (2 mites / 100 bees sampled). (see also IPM, below).
- Ensure to add supers as necessary. Bees which are too crowded are more prone to swarming.
- Remove supers once they are ≥90% capped and extract the honey.
As noted for July, the general approach for the apiarist is to ensure the covers are propped open as necessary for the heat.
Dearth Activities
If there is a dearth of nectar (as was experienced in 2025 due to the rain drought):
- Reduce any upper entrances to a minimum. A dearth period encourages robbing, and the colony needs to retain as much food as possible.
- If there is a dearth of nectar, consider feeding the bees with 2:1 sugar water (2 parts sugar:1 part water) or Hive Alive liquid. This will help to ensure the colony does not consume the honey they will be needing for the Winter.
- Be sure to remove any honey supers before adding any feed.
- Ensure the feeders are only accessible to the desired colony. Making them open for anyone to buck up to the trough will encourage robbing.
- If there is a dearth of pollen, the nurse bees cannot produce royal jelly. The apiarist may need to supplement their pollen during such a time, however the apiarist must be judicious in the addition of pollen as the extra pollen can also drive an increase in small hive beetles.
Also note, during dearth periods the colony may "shut the queen down", preventing her from laying any more eggs. When this happens, the apiarist may be led to believe that the colony is not queen-right. It is a good practice to wait 2 weeks before taking a decision to add a new queen.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
More information is available about Integrated Pest Management.
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Pest Management Controls |
Addresses |
| Cultural Options | |
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Strap the hives to a secure stand. This helps to ensure the larger critters cannot push the hives over (e.g., by a deer rubbing against the side), and stops racoons from opening the top. |
High winds, large critters, & medium sized critters |
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Splitting colonies using a walk-away method allows the bees to raise their own queen. This brood break will prevent any Varroa from entering larva cells, and hopefully they will die off for a while. |
Varroa |
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Add or replace beetle traps as necessary. |
Small hive beetles |
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Add a carpet tack strip to the entrance board to defer critters |
Skunks |
| Genetic Options | |
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You can replace your queen with one which will sire Varroa-resistant stock. That is discussed more in Genetic Stock, along with options. |
Varroa |
| Chemical Options | |
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Action is needed if the Varroa mite level is ≥ 2% (2 mites / 100 bees).
There should be no honey supers on the hive just yet, but they may be added in late April or early May. Take that into account when planning what to use. |
Varroa |
Pests not Addressed by this IPM Matrix
These pests are not addressed by the IPM matrix above. If you experience damage from these pests, contact your local bee inspector or the bee club.
- Bears - electric fencing is needed here and you will need to consult someone with experience about that.
More Information
Books and Papers
- A Practical Treatise on the Hive and Honey-Bee, 2d Edition, 1857, by the Rev. Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth
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Disclaimer: eMail comments to me at BeekeepingBoK @ Gmail.com. The process of beekeeping can cause injury or be a health hazard unless proper precautions are taken, including the wearing of appropriate protective equipment. |