August Monthly Tips

As the summer continues, keep a close eye on food stores to ensure your
hive maintains at least a 30-pound surplus. Also maintain a water
source and remove mite treatment when suggested by the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Typically, pollen substitutes aren’t needed during the summer, as there are
some flowers blooming. However, during especially hot, dry summers, the
conditions can kill the majority of blooming plants or at least cause them to
stop producing large amounts of pollen. In these cases, giving your hive a
few pounds of pollen patties each month can be an excellent way to keep
the queen laying and maintain your hive strength. Oftentimes, a hive that dwindles over the summer can be the result of insufficient protein.
As you feed your hive syrup, adding an essential oil mix like Complete can
help give your hive the extra nutrition they need to thrive during the
summer. Anything you can give your bees over the next few months to help
them thrive should be used.
Bee flight will be minimal during the heat of the day. Most activity will occur
early in the morning and late in the day. A beard of bees hanging outside
the entrance, especially in the evening, is normal this time of year. If your
hive is especially strong, giving them a total of three boxes rather than two
is advised.