September in the Central Oregon Apiary
We're approaching the close of a busy and fruitful summer. It’s hard to believe how quickly the season is flying by - much like our bees, who are preparing for the colder months ahead.
August 17th marked World Honey Bee Day, and we hosted our 3rd annual field day at Well Rooted Produce. The day was a tremendous success, drawing over 100 participants for honey tasting, hive inspections, melon tasting, and produce picking.
Thanks to Well Rooted Produce for hosting us in such a beautiful setting and to all the volunteers who made the event possible! Special recognition goes to Naomi Price for her presentation on honey bee foraging habits, Heike Williams from OSU for her update on Varroa mite management, and Lars and Erik Santana for their expert guidance during hive inspections.
A big thank you to Libby Rice, a recent OMB graduate, who skillfully organized the event, ensuring everything ran smoothly and was both enjoyable and informative for all.
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As we turn our attention to the upcoming Autumn, remember that September is a critical time for preparing your colonies for winter. The decisions you make now regarding honey harvest and feeding will significantly impact your bees' health during winter.
Honey Harvest and Feeding
Many beekeepers opt to leave a substantial amount of honey in the hive for the bees to use during winter. The goal is to provide the bees with the best possible nutrition by allowing them to consume their own honey, which provides the complete nutrients needed to maintain their health through the winter.
Some beekeepers choose to harvest most of the honey and supplement the bees' winter stores with sugar syrup. This approach allows for maximizing the honey crop while ensuring the bees have enough food to survive the winter. However, this requires careful management to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Ultimately, the decision between leaving honey and feeding sugar syrup depends on your goals, the health of the colony, and your environment.
A healthy colony should have at least 60 pounds of capped honey to sustain them through the long winter months.
Remember that breaking the propolis seal during cold weather can cause significant heat loss, stress the colony, and potentially harm the bees. Ideally, you should wait for a sunny day when temperatures are closer to 50°F or higher.
Varroa Management
Varroa management in September is crucial for the health of winter bees. Depending on your IPM strategy, you should have a solid approach in effect. If you haven't already, conduct a mite count using the sugar roll or alcohol wash. Implement your IPM schedule - and reach out for help if needed.
For detailed guidance on methods, visit the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s Varroa Management Guide at https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management.
Robbing Prevention
As resources dwindle, robbing by honey bees, wasps, and other insects can become a significant issue for your hives. Here are some strategies to prevent and manage robbing:
Regular inspection of your hives allows you to detect early signs of robbing or other issues.
A strong, healthy colony with good defensive behavior is naturally better equipped to deter robbers.
Reducing the size of the entrance using reducers or robbing screens can help colonies defend against intruders. However, it is important to balance entrance reduction with adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.
If feeding is necessary, internal feeders are preferable as they allow you to provide sustenance without increasing the risk of robbing.
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Don't forget to join us for our *September Meeting: 9/14/24, 6:00 PM • in Bend Topic: An overview of the Oregon Master Beekeeping Program. Whether you’re new to beekeeping or have years of experience, the OMB program offers valuable insights and skills to help you continue growing as a beekeeper.
*You do not need to be a member to attend. Our meetings are generally open to the public. We will be hosting our 'Beginners' Corner' at 5:00 PM, followed by the main meeting at 6:00 PM, which will also be available online (for members) via the link on the event page.
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