September in the Beekeeper's Calendar: Preparing for Autumn
As the leaves begin to turn and the air takes on a crisp edge, I'm reminded of a conversation I had with a fellow beekeeper at last year's honey festival. "September," he said with a knowing smile, "is when we set the stage for winter success." Those words have stuck with me, and as we enter this pivotal month, I can't help but reflect on its significance in the beekeeping world.
September is a month of transition, both for our bees and for us as beekeepers. It's a time when we start to wind down certain activities while ramping up others. Let's explore what this month holds and how we can make the most of it to ensure our colonies thrive through the colder months ahead.
September tasks for beekeepers include final honey harvests, Varroa mite treatments, hive winterisation preparations, and ensuring adequate food stores for colonies to survive the coming cold months.
Hive Inspections: The Final Check-Ups
As we move into September, it's time to ease off on the frequency of our hive inspections. However, this doesn't mean we can completely neglect our colonies. Instead, we need to be more targeted in our approach.
During these final check-ups, keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases. This is particularly important as the colony prepares for winter. A healthy colony in September has a much better chance of surviving until spring.
Remember, each time we open the hive, we're disrupting the bees' carefully controlled environment. So, make these inspections count. Check for:
A healthy, laying queen
Sufficient food stores
Signs of disease or pest infestation
For more detailed guidance on hive inspections, check out our article When You Start Beekeeping, Regular Inspections Are Important.
Varroa Management: The Invisible Threat
September is a critical time for Varroa mite management. Have you monitored your Varroa drop recently? If you're seeing more than 10 mites per day on your sticky board, it's time to consider treatment options.
Varroa mites can devastate a colony, especially as it heads into winter. A high mite load in autumn can lead to weakened bees that are more susceptible to viruses and less likely to survive the cold months.
There are various treatment options available, from organic acids to synthetic miticides. The key is to choose a method that's effective for your situation and to apply it correctly.
For more information on Varroa management, have a look at our guide on Oxalic Acid: A Popular and Effective Treatment for Varro Mite.
The autumn dip: Visualizing the decrease in nectar availability as we move into September.
Honey Harvest: The Sweet Reward
September often marks the final honey harvest of the year. It's a time of excitement as we reap the rewards of our bees' hard work. However, it's crucial to remember that we're not the only ones who need this honey.
As you harvest, always ensure you're leaving enough honey for the bees to survive the winter. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 20kg of honey per colony. This might seem like a lot, but remember, the bees need this to sustain themselves through the long months when nectar is scarce.
If you're unsure about how much honey to leave, err on the side of caution. It's always better to leave a bit extra than to risk your colony starving over winter.
Colony Viability: Tough Decisions
September is the time to assess which of your colonies are strong enough to make it through winter. This can sometimes lead to tough decisions, but they're necessary for the overall health of your apiary.
Check that your colonies are queenright - that is, they have a healthy, laying queen. If you spot any colonies that seem weak or queenless, consider uniting them with stronger colonies. A combined colony has a much better chance of winter survival than two weak ones.
Equipment Management: Preparing for Next Year
As the beekeeping season winds down, September is an excellent time to start thinking about equipment maintenance and storage.
Clean and repair any equipment that needs attention. For boxes that won't be in use over winter, consider stacking them with a sheet of newspaper between each. This can help prevent wax moth infestations, a common problem in stored equipment.
This is also a great time to take stock of your equipment and start planning for any replacements or additions you might need for next season.
Winter Configuration: Streamlining the Hive
As we move into autumn, it's time to start configuring our hives for winter. This often means reducing or removing supers as the nectar flow dwindles.
The goal is to create a compact, easily defensible space for the bees. This helps them maintain the hive temperature more efficiently and reduces the area they need to protect from pests like wasps.
Feeding: Topping Up Winter Stores
If your hive inspections reveal that your colonies are light on stores, September is the time to start supplementary feeding. Use a thick syrup mix (2:1 sugar to water) to help the bees build up their winter stores quickly.
Remember, any feeding should be done early enough for the bees to process and cap the syrup before cold weather sets in. Late feeding can lead to moisture problems in the hive over winter.
Pest Management: The Wasp Menace
Wasps become increasingly aggressive and problematic for beehives in late summer and early autumn as their natural food sources dwindle, leading to more frequent raids on honey bee colonies.
As natural food sources become scarcer, wasps can become an increasing nuisance to our hives. They're attracted to the honey and can quickly overwhelm a weak colony.
Consider reducing hive entrances to help the bees defend against wasp invasions. You might also want to set up wasp traps away from your hives to divert these predators.
For more tips on managing pests in your apiary, check out our article on The Hidden Challenges and Rewards of Beekeeping.
Setting the Stage for Success
As we wrap up our September tasks, it's important to remember that the work we do now sets the stage for next year's success. By ensuring our colonies are healthy, well-fed, and properly configured for winter, we're giving them the best possible chance of emerging strong in the spring.
But September isn't all work and no play. As the beekeeping year winds down, it's also a time to reflect on the season past. Take a moment to appreciate all you've learned and accomplished. Maybe even treat yourself to a spoonful of that delicious honey you've harvested!
What are your September beekeeping rituals? Do you have any special techniques for preparing your hives for winter? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Your insights could help fellow beekeepers navigate this crucial time of year.
Remember, in beekeeping as in life, preparation is key. So let's raise a glass of mead to September - a month of transition, preparation, and sweet rewards. Here's to healthy hives and happy bees!
