Honeybees Like Hurricanes.

[jdmidwest]

August has been a dry month for the bees. I have gotten rid of all my pests and did all I could for my hive's health. The rest was up to mother nature.

We did have one small rain a few weeks back and the inspection of the hive revealed many new eggs. Wed., I opened up and looked in only to find a few sealed brood and no new egg laying. The number of bees in the hive have dwindled to around 20,000, about a third of what I would expect for this time of the year. But no flowers equal no pollen for them to feed the young, There was none stored on the combs that I could find.

This morning they are out in force gathering pollen. Pollen is needed as their growth food. Honey and nectar is just for adults. I hope it helps them start laying again. Otherwise I am going to have to buy some more bees and a stronger queen to get them thru the winter that is coming soon.

Flowers are blooming in the garden this morning, marigolds and zinnias. Squash and okra are blooming also. Rain gauge is at 1 3/4 inch. I would like to see that double before the weekend is over, but the sun is out now.

Note the different colors of pollen they are collecting, who knows from which flower it comes from.

Hummingbird activity is up too, feeders are getting a good workout.

[Ham]

I enjoy reading about your bees. Easy to get caught up in whatever you normally do and not think about how the weather is affecting other people and their pursuits.

[jdmidwest]

This drought has affected the garden, my bees, and my normal outdoor summer recreation. Most of the streams I fish are just trickles. I have left them alone. Camping has been dampered by not being able to have a camp fire.

About 1 in 3 bees hitting the landing pad today were loaded with pollen. The rain has perked everything up around here today. Grass is greener, garden is not wilted.

[hoglaw]

We got pounded today JD. Hopefully your minions will be better off shortly.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

JD - you need to get this queen out of my apartment buildings attic.

I sometimes hear buzzing from the inside when I am outside.

I am allergic to bees.

You get near Branson with your bee keepers suit, give me a ring. I am not kidding.

[jdmidwest]

Google beekeepers in the Springfield/Branson area and look for one that removes swarms. It takes more than a bee suit to get one out. Might need a chainsaw.

Have you noticed a wad of bees sitting on the side of your house somewhere? It may just be carpenter bees, they are solitary and drill holes for nests in the wood.

As far as the bee activity goes, this cooler weather will keep them in the hive warming the brood. Not much activity today.