As the temperature continues to rise, honey bees adapt their behavior to avoid overheating:

• Shorter forage flights: They take shorter trips, go less distance, and shorten the time they spend foraging.
• Foraging for water: What once was a flight searching for nectar has now turned into a water-gathering mission. In extreme heat, honey bees will gather water to distribute around the nest and fan their wings to create a cooling effect—much like a water-cooled air-conditioning system.

Due to the foraging adaptation, in the heat of the day a hive can show a significant population. And because of the high bee density, adding another box to provide extra space can help keep the hive cool. This additional box could be filled with foundation for the bees to draw out and use for next year or with comb to store syrup as needed. The aim is to give the bees more room and a heat barrier against the summer sun, ensuring their comfort and preparing for future needs.

Let us build and paint your hive boxes for you! And don't forget— WE HAVE THE LOWEST SHIPPING MINIMUM IN THE INDUSTRY!

Watch as Blake shows us what to look for and how to add boxes for cooling hives on these hot summer days.

Video Summary: Adding Extra Boxes for Summer Cooling

Introduction

Managing bee populations during the intense heat of summer involves strategic adjustments to beehive structures. This summary discusses a practical approach to enhance hive cooling by adding extra hive boxes, as demonstrated in a beekeeping scenario.

Key Points

• Hive Composition: The hive in question consists of a deep box and a medium box, serving as brood nests without any honey supers.
• Bee Population: At the time of observation, the hive was extremely populated, with the top box nearly 100% full of bees, even during the day.
• Activity Observation: Contrary to typical behavior where bees are out foraging, a significant number of bees were present in the hive during the daytime heat.
• Additional Box: Adding an extra box, whether a deep or medium, is recommended to provide space and act as a cooling barrier.
• Purpose of the Extra Box: The added box may not be utilized for significant honey storage but serves to alleviate heat stress within the hive.
• Feeding Strategy: Feeding the bees with about a fourth to a third of a gallon of syrup per week supports them in drawing out the new box.
• Comb Development: By late summer, it is likely that the bees will have fully drawn out the new box, preparing additional comb for the following year.
• Heat Barrier Enhancement: The additional box also helps in shielding the hive from direct solar heat, enhancing the overall temperature regulation.

Conclusion

In summertime beekeeping, the addition of extra boxes to overcrowded hives can significantly aid in temperature management and provide essential space for bee activities. This practice not only ensures the health and efficiency of the hive but also prepares the bees better for future production needs. By understanding and implementing such techniques, beekeepers can improve hive survival and productivity during the hottest parts of the year.