This time of year, our bees are dealing with a nectar dearth — a sharp drop in available forage.
At the same time, yellowjacket activity increases, adding pressure as they attempt to rob
weakened colonies. Between reduced food resources and outside threats, even normally calm,
gentle colonies can become noticeably more defensive and aggressive.
With that in mind, this is an important time to:
Inspect hives for varroa mites (an alcohol wash or sugar roll will give you an accurate
count)
Treat for mites as needed, based on your inspection results
Remove honey supers for extraction before treating, since most mite treatments should
not be applied with supers you intend to harvest still in place
Be Prepared for More Defensive Bees
Please take the following precautions during inspections:
- Fully close all zippers on your bee suit or jacket and pants — don’t leave any gaps.
- If wearing a fencing veil, wear a ball cap with a brim underneath it. The brim holds
the veil away from your face, reducing the chance of a sting through the mesh. - Wear boots or other sturdy, appropriate footwear.
- Expect your bees to buzz your face and attempt to sting. Stay calm, move
deliberately, and don’t swat — but be mentally prepared for more assertive behavior than
usual.
Stay safe out there, and take extra care during inspections this season.