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End of Honey Flow??

Posted: August 5th, 2018, 2:14 am
by firestonestaffords
Hello, I'm a new beekeeper in Southern Alberta between Lethbridge and Coaldale.
I started this past spring with a package of bees and no drawn comb and so far I've faked it through my first summer in not too bad shape. I have many questions, but my question today is, does anyone know when we can expect the nectar to stop flowing in this neck of the woods? I harvested a deep and 2 mediums of capped honey a couple weeks ago. I've got 2 more mediums full of honey that are half capped and the deep is half full of honey again as well. I figured just for kicks I'd throw a couple more mediums of undrawn comb on and they are building them out as well. So, when can I expect things to slow down? I'm surrounded by Canola, Corn, Sugar Beets, Hay, and Wheat.

Re: End of Honey Flow??

Posted: August 5th, 2018, 11:45 am
by Allen Dick
In your area the flow goes into September and can even go until early October however by then you should have checked for mites and treated if necessary and be leaving honey for the bees.

Hi common beginner mistake is to rob the bees too closely and then find they are starving in the fall. Come to think of it, it's not the new beekeepers that do that, but many experienced beekeepers make that same mistake over and over again.

Re: End of Honey Flow??

Posted: August 8th, 2018, 4:20 am
by firestonestaffords
Thanks Allen.

I believe the plan is to take all the honey above the brood box and then immediately feed sugar syrup. At the same time I'll probably throw pollen sub on just in case they need it. When is a good time to harvest the rest of the honey and give the bees enough time to pack everything out with winter stores?

Re: End of Honey Flow??

Posted: August 8th, 2018, 4:41 am
by Allen Dick
Have you checked for mites?

Nothing else matters until you do.

Re: End of Honey Flow??

Posted: August 9th, 2018, 12:12 am
by firestonestaffords
I checked for Mites and counts were low but I threw some MAQS in anyway. I just took them out a couple days ago and haven't had the chance to do a post treatment mite wash yet.