July Beekeeping Tips 2024

1. For the vast majority of the southern states, the nectar flow is completely finished by early July. If you plan to harvest your honey, you should do so quickly to ensure the bees do not consume too much of their stores. See the June issue regarding honey harvest.
2. Your bees are entering one of the most critical periods of the entire year. Varroa mite populations typically peak in July, making treatment critical once honey is removed. Use a treatment that is able to withstand high temperatures, like Apivar. Any thymol-based treatment does not do well in high temperatures, and oxalic acid is effective only during a broodless period. Apistan and Checkmite are no longer viable due to mite resistance. Hopguard can be somewhat effective, but make sure to test for mites after treatment as it can be ineffective in some conditions. Apivar is currently the most effective and reliable treatment in high temperatures.                       
3. Of importance immediately after harvesting honey is feeding your bees. In July there are virtually no major nectar-producing flowers blooming, but your bees are still rearing brood and still require large amounts of food to maintain their strength. Thus, we encourage all beekeepers to begin feeding and not stop until each hive has a thirty-pound surplus of syrup stored in the second box. This will guarantee that your bees have the resources they need to live and thrive. Even a few weeks without enough food or with excessively high mite levels can drastically damage your hive.
4. Heat is much harder on bees than cold, and in the most southern states, heat poses some unique challenges for hives. In addition to treating for mites and feeding immediately, be sure to provide a water source for your hive and to slightly crack the lid for additional ventilation. Adding an empty box above your current boxes can provide some dead air space and a buffer from the hot lid. Make sure your hive has at least two boxes instead of one deep box.
5. One of the most important things to keep in mind as a beekeeper is the fact that winter preparation begins as soon as you harvest honey. Many beekeepers begin winter preparation when the first major cold front hits in October or November, but that is far too late. Most “winter” losses are actually a result of improper care during the summer months. Hives may appear alive and well over the summer, but they can actually be starving and infested with mites—and mites transfer viruses to the bees. You may not notice a dramatic decline until the issues have reached a critical point in fall or winter, but the invisible damage was done over the summer.
6. If you want to grow your hive count in the following year, you can place supers of foundation directly on top of your brood nest and feed the hive continually over the summer. The bees will draw out the comb, which can give you your comb for the next year and eliminate the need to draw out foundation on a honey flow. The constant food and the chance to work are great for the bees over the summer months as well.

How we feed matters. Products such as Apis Biolgix Bio-Control added to sugar syrup can dramatically enhance your feed-ability!