IN THE HIVE:
- In the middle of the month, bees start to form their winter cluster at around 50 degrees F.
- The bees will still look for food outside the hive on the warm days and rob other hives that are open or unprotected. 
- There will be hardly any egg laying if at all this month. Drone population will dwindle from either dying off or being forcibly removed by the female bees.

INSPECTIONS & NUTRITION:
- There should be at least 70-90 pounds of honey for the bees to eat in a full sized colony now.
- As in the previous 2 months, you can feed the bees. Change to a sugar syrup of 2:1 ratio. This is a thicker ration than what you feed in the spring. The thicker syrup will help the bees to evaporate moisture from the hive faster. 
- The bees need at least 2 double sided frames of pollen stored by late winter and early spring. 

PEST MANAGEMENT:
- The number of Varroa mites per 100 to signal for treatments increases to 3 mites per 100 bees this time of year.
- Make sure no Varroa mite chemical treatments remain in the hives before you winterize them. 
- Check all frames for American Foulbrood.
- Place mouse guards on the hives at this time. 
- Add entrance reducers.

BEE YARD & ENVIRONMENT:
- Winter prep of equipment includes removing extra honey supers and queen excluders, and securing the hive cover with a strap or block.
- If regular supers haven't been filled, remove them now.
- If you plan to insulate the hives, ensure whatever method you use will not cause moisture build-up in the hive. There must be an upper entrance open for escape.
- If insulating, tilt the hive forward a few degrees, allowing excess moisture to drain out the bottom entrance.
- You might need to set up a wind break near your hives.
​
BLOOMING NOW:
There are still a few dwindling plants in bloom, especially asters of all varieties. 

IN THE HIVE:
-In September, the queen will slow down egg laying and the brood area will diminish.
-This month signals the end of the second swarm season.
-Varroa mite population, if left untreated, peaks around August/September.
-Nectar resources become less abundant. 
-Resin/propolis collection continues.
-The bees can become more defensive at this time of year as they protect the stores in their hive and they protect against robbing. They also do their robbing of other hives.
​
INSPECTION & NUTRITION:
-Continue to perform thorough colony inspections this month, as it will be the last month until spring that they can be done. 
-Thorough inspections require the hive to be open longer periods of time, which can help other bees rob the hive. Don't rush the inspection but be efficient.
-Things to take note of this month are hive weights, number of bees and location of honey stores.
-Brood pattern may be more difficult to evaluate because of the drop off of egg laying this month.

PEST MANAGEMENT:
-Continue to monitor Varroa mites constantly. 3 mites per 100 bees is the signal for treatment. 
-Remove drone cone foundation for the rest of the year. 
-Look for signs of Nosema.
-Apply chemical mite control once supers have been removed.

COLONY POPULATION:
-If you have a weak colony that won't make it throught the winter, decide now whether or not to cull it or combine it with a stronger colony before winter comes. 
- Don't move anything around that will affect brood pattern this month as the bees are now rearing winter bees.

BEE YARD & ENVIRONMENT:
-Extract fall honey immediately to prevent small hive beetle infestation.
-Fall honey may need to be warmed in order to filter it as it will granulate more quickly than spring honey. 

BLOOMING NOW:
Goldenrod is still blooming abundantly, Sweetclovers, Asters, Thistles, Purple Loosestrife and others. Honey that is heavy with Goldenrod can have a distinct "smelly sock" odor, so don't be alarmed if you smell this. 

It’s offically summer time! What better way to enjoy the season than with meals that highlight the carefree sunny days. We are back in the hive kitchen today, sharing another excellent seasonal recipe. This time, we have chosen a protein packed main dish that will have you licking the fork!
​July's feature is Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon posted by the Chunky Chef.
Sticky sweet and garlicky, this glazed salmon recipe comes together in just 20 minutes. 
Serve this delicious dish with rice, a cool salad, or roasted veggies from the garden. 
Enjoy!

Ingredients: 
SALMON:

• ▢4 (6 oz each) salmon filets
• ▢1/2 tsp kosher salt
• ▢1/2 tsp black pepper
• ▢1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• ▢1/4 tsp blackening seasoning (optional)

SAUCE:

• ▢3 Tbsp butter
• ▢2 tsp olive oil
• ▢6 cloves garlic minced
• ▢1/2 cup honey
• ▢3 Tbsp water
• ▢3 Tbsp soy sauce
• ▢1 Tbsp sriracha sauce
• ▢2 Tbsp lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Pat salmon dry, then season with salt, pepper, paprika and blackening seasoning (if using). Set aside.
• IMPORTANT: Adjust oven rack to middle position, then preheat broiler. If you broil this with the rack up high the sauce will burn.
• Add butter and oil to a large, oven-safe skillet over MED-HIGH heat. Once butter is melted, add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice and cook 30 seconds or so, until sauce is heated through.
• Add salmon, skin side down (if using salmon with skin), and cook 3 minutes. While salmon cooks, baste frequently with sauce from the pan by spooning it over the top of the salmon.
• Broil salmon for 5-6 minutes, basting with sauce once during the broil, until salmon is caramelized and cooked to desired doneness.
• Garnish with minced parsley if desired.

IN THE HIVE:
- Watch for bearding outside the hive as it gets hotter this month.
- Varroa mite population can explode if left untreated. 
- Swarm season will wind down mid July.
- Remove entrance reducer in hotter months, like July to aid the bees in cooling down the hive. 

INSPECTIONS AND NUTRITION:
- Continue once a month hive inspections.
- Another note about dearth of forage, if you collected spring honey, you really need to monitor honey stores in the hive. 
- Provide a water source near the hive. 

PEST & COLONY MANAGEMENT:
- Continue to monitor Varroa mite levels and use treatment methods and management as mentioned in May and June.
- If you do split a hive, placing the queen in the new hive along with half of the colony, the original hive will not have a queen. For at least 42 days there won't be any new brood, affecting Varroa mite populations in the hive. This might be a method to help combat Varroa problems in your colonies.
- This could be the last month to split your colonies during the season. The bees will need enough time to build up their supplies for winter.
- Add a queen excluder if you haven't already, to manage honey supers. 
- You may need to remove supers if you are treating Varroa mites with chemicals.
​ 
BLOOMING NOW:
Early Clover, White Sweetclover, Yellow Sweetclover, Apple, Cherry, Plum, Pear, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Deadnettle, Elderberry, Black Locust, Honeysuckle, Tulip Poplar, Hawthorn, Autumn Olive, Oak, Willow, Dandelion, Russian Olive, Milkweed, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Rocket, Chicory, Hairy Vetch, Purple Vetch, Grape, Sumac, Knapweed, Catalpa Trees, Birdsfoot Trefoil.