A YEAR IN THE
APIARY

July is a busy time as the height of summer brings plenty of work in the apiary. With warm weather and an abundance of nectar and pollen, the bees are very active and the colony is likely to be at its largest size of the year. This is an important time to maintain the health of the hive, prevent swarming and ensure the bees have enough space to thrive. Lets discuss the key tasks that you should focus on in July, as well as some important considerations to keep in mind for this time of year.

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​Maintain weekly hive inspections: This is the time of year when you should be looking at your hives and be aware of any problems that you may encounter such as queen-less colonies, drone laying queen etc. You still have time to fix problems before they hunker down for winter.

 

Check for swarms: Swarming season typically begins in May and lasts through July. Be sure to check your hives regularly for signs of swarm cells, which look like large, peanut-shaped cells on the bottom of frames. If you see them, it may be time to split your hive or take other swarm prevention measures. You can still leave the bait hives out at this time of year. This is a good time to requeen with a mated queen.

 

Add supers: The honey flow is usually in full swing in July, so it's important to ensure that your bees have enough space to store all of the nectar and honey they're collecting. Add supers as needed and be sure to check them regularly to see if they're filling up. If the frames on the added supers are drawn, you can put these anywhere however, if you are adding supers with fresh foundation, you would be better off placing this super above the brood nest. Once you have extracted the honey, put the wet supers back on the hive for a few days, the bees will clean them out. You can remove these in a few days when dry. Place any frames with uncapped honey into a single super and position it beneath the brood box. This provides the bees with additional food and raises them further from the cold ground, keep it this way until spring.

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Watch out for pests and diseases: July is also a good time to watch out for signs of pests and diseases in your colonies as well as robbing. Look for any unusual behaviour or symptoms and take appropriate action to prevent the spread of disease. Consider what treatments you are going to use against Varroa. If the varroa count is medium to high, apply Apiguard, ensuring that temperatures stay above 15°C for four weeks. Since varroa counts can sometimes be unreliable, it may be wise to use Apiguard as a precaution, regardless of the count.

 

Clean the Apiary: Cut the grass in the apiary and clear away any vegetation particularly away from hive entrances.

 

Harvest honey: If your supers are full of honey, it may be time to harvest. Be sure to follow proper honey extraction and bottling procedures to ensure the highest quality honey.

 

​Water and shade: Be sure to provide your bees with a source of water and shade during the hot summer months. A shallow dish filled with water and some rocks or floating cork can provide a safe and accessible water source for your bees.

 

Maintain records: Beekeeping records are an important tool to manage colonies effectively and ensure the health and productivity of your bees, don't forget to record your findings.

 

​Attend educational events: Attend beekeeping events, such as seminars or conferences, to learn about new techniques and best practices.