A talk by Geoff Blay, Master Beekeeper and Bee Farmer

Report of the joint winter meeting of East Devon Beekeepers and West Dorset Beekeepers, Kilmington Village Hall, 6th February 2025. 64 attendees.

Geoff’s first slide said:
Unsettled conditions:
— we’re British, we always moan about the weather
— we’re beekeepers, we’ve got even more reason to do so.

That set the scene for a series of six, in depth descriptions of recent weather patterns that have impacted our bees. The effects of each pattern were described, along with possible management techniques to counter problems or even take advantage of the conditions.

Weather overview for July 2023 stated:
“July was an unsettled month – often cool, dull, windy and with a lot of rainfall, in stark contrast to June. Temperatures were generally below average, with daily maximum temperatures frequently failing to reach above 20°C. Rainfall was above average throughout the UK, with more than 200% of average in parts of ….. Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire.”

Management strategy

Nectar flow usually occurs in July so this pattern is a potential disaster for the honey crop and the overwintering of the colony. The result was big colonies with no stores. The immediate priority is feeding the bees to keep them alive and stimulate laying of winter bees. In order to protect the (possibly) reduced number of bees in the winter cluster, increased insulation will go some way to help. An additional strategy would be uniting smaller colonies, even though late in the season.

Weather overview for 2020/21:
“In January, UK mean temperature was 2.2 °C, which is 1.5 °C below the long-term average, making it the coldest January since 2010. Rainfall was 113% of average …. sunshine was 95% of average over most of England …. Storm Christof brought wet and windy weather mid-January.”

Management strategy

Under these conditions, Geoff has found polystyrene hives, especially double poly nucs, to be of benefit for the survival of colonies when compared to the equivalent wooden National hives. The double poly nuc allows the colony to move up as normal to stay in contact with winter stores, as well as moving away from varroa mesh floor drafts. A sheltered position for wintering is always advisable.

At the beginning of Spring, transfer overwintered poly nucs to standard hives. At the same time, take the opportunity to ‘equalise’ colonies, gradually supplementing smaller hives with brood from larger hives. There may also be a need to do some uniting of smaller or weaker colonies.

The weather was “Dull, wet and mild for extended periods”.
The overview:
“April 2024 continued the theme of the previous few months, being unsettled, wet and dull. The April showers were present from the beginning of the month, with frontal systems bringing persistent rain across the UK. Storm Kathleen brought strong winds across the UK, with gales along coasts, particularly in …. the west of the UK. However, the southerly source of the wind led to mild temperatures. The UK recorded only 122.9 hours of sunshine, 79% of the average.”

Management strategy

Even with mild temperatures, there will be a dearth of nectar and pollen. Add wet conditions plus lack of sunshine and your bees are going to be desperately short of stores. They need feeding asap. The problem is, how to feed without contaminating potential honey crop? The answer is fondant or candy. Feed small quantities at a time and if it disappears, they need it. The bees will not see it as a ‘nectar flow’ and store it, but will consume it for energy requirements. Any unused fondant can easily be removed from the hive.

Swarm impulse arises from low queen substance (QS) due to a variety of pressures.

• Big colonies mean bees furthest from the centre receive low QS.
• Overcrowding reduces QS transfer to peripheral bees.
• Poor weather with bees stuck indoors adds to the problem.
• When the weather improves the bees will often take the first opportunity to swarm!
• Increased nectar flow at this time means swarming is more likely to be successful.

Management strategy

Swarm prevention is key. This is achieved by getting enough QS to the right bees.

This can be done by introducing a new queen (with higher QS production), breeding queens for low swarming tendency (takes time), congestion management techniques or attempting to pre-empt the weather patterns.

One congestion management technique is brood relocation. Essentially, this involves ensuring there is enough space in the brood nest for bees to move around, spreading QS more effectively. You can remove pollen blocked frames and/or honey stores in brood frames for use elsewhere e.g., mating nucs. Replace these frames with foundation or drawn comb.

As already stated, the nectar flow usually occurs in mid-July. Under the above weather conditions, there is a slow and steady nectar flow over a long (5 week) period.

Management strategy

In a word, ‘Vigilance’. Continue inspections and swarm prevention measures until the swarming impulse reduces. Manage supering in plenty of time to avoid congestion, and ensure adequate stores remain when supers are removed with the honey crop.

A lot hinges on the queen’s nuptial flight or flights.

• Ideally 20°C or more with settled conditions.
• Most queens make more than one flight over several days.
• Queens make more flights of shorter duration at lower temperatures.
• Flights last 10 to 30 minutes.
• Most flights are between 1pm and 4pm.
• Modest and steady wind conditions preferred.

In summary, reliable mating requires decent conditions for a significant part of several consecutive days. Geoff showed April/May temperature data for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 that clearly showed these conditions were rarely achieved.
The takeaway message is to try queen rearing again later in the year if your first batch has been compromised by poor weather.

Conclusions

A broader outlook with a more ‘all year round’, proactive view of colony management will pay dividends in the long run as the weather patterns change. So,

• Read the hive,
• Read the weather and weather patterns,
• Read local forage,
• Use a range of techniques, in addition to swarm control, that will compensate the many different situations, as and when they arise.

References

Met Office Monthly Climate Summary

Gard’Apis – The Gard’Apis trap is specifically designed to reduce Asian Hornet populations without impacting other insect species. Go to Website