Guilfordbeekeepers.org

Is the flow over until Fall? Will the clover be enough of a flow to last a few more weeks now that we have seen some rain?

What is the opinion?

In my opinion....the flow is gone..gone...gone. My hives are starting to rob.

I am not seeing any robbing, but there is a major work slow down evident. It almost looks like union workers on strike. They are all hanging out on the landing, the only thing missing is the signs. There are still some foragers coming and going, but there is a very evident lack of pollen coming in. I am hopeful that the rain will bring about a rebound in the clover. The link from the state site indicates that all types of clover are blooming now.

The catalba is starting to bloom, along with Abelia and other yard shrubs. Not enough to make surplus honey, but still something for them to work at.

The real dearth wont start until July, then you will see robbing and testy bees. Best to get your honey off before then if possible.

Kurt

I still have pollen coming in pretty good. But the nectar looks like its gone. I hope the rain helps as well. Kurt, what does the typical honey flow look like the rest of the year? Not a prediction but an average of what you have seen in the past. Will the supers see anymore nectar???

It is possible to get a fall flow.
The only problem is that typically beekeepers allow the bees to have this for winter stores and it is not an exceptional tasting honey. goldenrod and aster also crystalize quickly which makes them more undesireable.

Kurt

So....... I should take the supers off when????? And what about the hives that only have 6 or 7 frames drawn of the ten??? Some of the frames have sugar water for honey. I wanted to leave that for the bees this winter. Help!!???!!!???!

I have some questions about supers as well. I have on hive that I will take honey from. The bottom super is full with the exception of frames 1 and 10 and part of frame 2. I moved them into the center of the box yesterday. They are mostly capped, but about 1/2 of the outside of 1 and 10 are not capped, and maybe 1/8 of one side of 2. The second super is fully drawn, and has nectar curing in all frames, with some capping starting in the center two or three frames. The capping is limited to a small area in the top center portion of the frames. I feel pretty good about getting one super off this hive, any guesses on the second??

If they never cap it, what do I do with it??
If they cap it during the fall flow, what do I do with it??