A YEAR IN THE
APIARY

Carry out inspections as you did in April. June is an important month in the beekeeping calendar as the weather is generally warm and the bees are extremely active. The queen is laying at her peak, and the bees are collecting nectar and pollen to feed their young and make honey. You need to stay on top of your hive management to ensure healthy and productive hives. It is important to make regular inspections to ensure that everything is in order. At this time of year, swarming is a real risk, and you need to be vigilant to prevent this from happening. Splitting hives and making artificial swarms can be useful strategies to prevent swarming.

 

​Continue to monitor hives for signs of disease or infestation. Varroa mites can be particularly problematic at this time of year, and regular treatments may be necessary. It is also important to keep an eye out for other pests and diseases, such as wax moths and American foulbrood. By staying on top of these issues, you can ensure healthy and productive hives throughout the summer.

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​Here are some things to do in the apiary in June:

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​​Maintain weekly hives inspections: This is the time of year when bee colonies are expanding rapidly, so it's important to inspect your hives regularly to ensure that they have enough space to grow. You should check for signs of swarming, such as queen cells, and take appropriate action if necessary.

 

Monitor honey stores: Ensure sufficient food is available particularly during the June gap.

 

Manage Varroa mites: June is an important time to inspect for varroa mites, which can pose a significant threat to bee colonies. It's not recommended to use chemical treatments during this time of year. Instead, one way to manage mites during routine inspections is to sprinkle the bees with icing sugar, this dislodges the mites and prompts the bees to groom each other, helping to remove them. Another approach involves trapping mites in capped drone brood. By placing a shallow comb between two frames of brood, the bees will create drone brood on the bottom of the shallow frame that can later be removed to assess mite infestations.

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​Add supers: As the bees are busy foraging and producing honey, it's important to make sure that they have enough space to store it all. Adding supers to your hives will give them the extra space they need to build up their honey stores.

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Managing a Third-Year Queen: If you have a Queen in her third year, it's advisable to create a nucleus colony (nuc) with her. Doing this in mid-June ensures that the Queen-less colony won’t experience a significant reduction in bee numbers during the crucial July nectar flow. By establishing a nuc, you maintain a back-up plan; if the original colony encounters issues raising a new Queen, you still have the old Queen available. Additionally, mid-June is an ideal time to consider requeening if necessary, particularly if your current colony exhibits aggressive behaviour.

 

Provide water sources: Bees need access to clean water in order to cool their hives and dilute their honey stores. Providing a nearby water source, such as a shallow dish or bird bath, can help ensure that your colonies stay healthy and hydrated.

 

Watch out for pests and diseases: June is also a good time to watch out for signs of pests and diseases in your colonies. Look for any unusual behaviour or symptoms and take appropriate action to prevent the spread of disease. Install Asian Hornet Traps 

 

​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.

By following these tips and regularly monitoring your colonies, you can help ensure that your bees stay healthy and productive throughout the busy summer season.