August To-Do’s:

August is the month to harvest any available honey your bees have produced in surplus. Remember, the general rule for overwintering is to leave at least one medium super per thriving colony. If you choose to harvest more, you will need to feed those colonies to make up for lost resources. As the month progresses, robbing may become more prominent. Prevention is key and keen observation is your friend. Consider reducing entrances especially on smaller/weaker colonies or if you notice aggressive behavior in front of the hive. Continue to provide clean water in a nearby, bee safe fashion if your apiary does not have ready access. 

Pest control is extremely important as we head into the Fall season. Have a storage plan in place for harvested honeycomb to prevent wax moth damage. Small hive beetles can also begin to peak at this time. If you notice an increase in SHB presence, be sure to act quickly before the population gets out of hand. Begin planning for your Fall varroa treatment to be completed by the end of next month as weather allows.
Be sure to read the instructions carefully!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are more than happy to help.