Feeding In The Summer Months
I'm sure you've wondered, "Is all this feeding really necessary?" The answer: It kind of is! Feeding is one of the most critical elements to get right. Although populations will naturally decline due to the season, our bees are still raising baby bees needed to bring in a fall nectar flow. Just like we wouldn't leave our dogs or horses without adequate food, water, and shade during the summer, our bees need us too!
Summer feeding is different from spring feeding, and making a few simple adjustments can help keep colonies healthy while preparing them for the fall.
One of the biggest changes to make is how you feed. While Boardman feeders are a great option in the spring, having syrup sitting at the front of the hive during hot weather can attract robbing bees and other pests, making it more difficult for the colony to defend itself.
Instead, use top feeders or internal division board feeders throughout the summer months. These feeders allow bees to access syrup from inside the hive, making feeding less disruptive and more effective.
Maintain Honey Stores
During the summer, colonies should maintain approximately 30 pounds of excess honey in the second brood box. Keeping adequate honey reserves helps ensure the bees have enough food while continuing to build and grow.
Trickle Feed to Encourage Comb Building
Rather than feeding large amounts of syrup at one time, trickle feeding is an effective approach. Providing about a quarter gallon of syrup each week gives the colony a steady food source without overfeeding.
At the same time, add a box of foundation. The consistent supply of syrup encourages the bees to draw out the foundation over the summer, leaving fully drawn comb that's ready to use the following year. Having drawn comb available gives colonies a significant head start compared to installing new foundation.
Minimize Hive Disturbance
When feeding, avoid removing the entire second box whenever possible. Keeping the hive together reduces stress on the colony and makes the process quicker and easier.
The Importance of Protein in Summer
With nectar-producing flowers dying off in the heat, the concern shifts to ensuring adequate protein (pollen) for the bees. Inspecting frames for pollen stores is crucial. Lack of pollen can lead to unhealthy hives, affecting larval development and the future winter survival. One solution is supplementing with pollen patties.
Another excellent all-around feed is Stan's Soft Sugar Bricks. The proprietary blend provides not only the carbohydrates bees need when few or no flowers are blooming, but also high-quality, real pollen from Global. Combined with other natural ingredients, Stan's Soft Sugar Bricks make an excellent nutritional supplement during the summer months when natural forage is scarce.
Watch the video above as I explain how to identify and solve pollen dearth inside the hive.
By: Blake Shook