Newbattle Beekeepers Association

The Beekeeping Year - August

At every inspection we need to check for F.E.D.S.S. (Food, Eggs, Disease, Swarming & Space)

All monthly actions are approximate and depend on the weather and forage conditions

There are many different approaches to beekeeping but most beekeeping timetables are broadly similar to ours

August heralds the beginning of the end of the beekeeping season. early nectar flows from blossoms and spring flowers are over, the queen may be reducing egg-laying as she senses the shortening days and, hopefully, swarming is over. Heather is a source of late valuable honey and this is supplemented by Rosebay Willow Herb, Blackberry, Himalayan Balsam and late Ivy.

Occasional Check of the Hive -

As the swarming season is over, strict weekly inspections are not necessary.

Keep Hefting Hive -

To check that they have sufficient stores. Supplementary feeding must be offered if required to keep the bees active and to encourage the queen to maintain egg-laying. Eggs laid now and in September will produce the bees we expect to overwinter.