The summer here in maine has been exceptionally cold and wet. Raining for the last month almost ALL month, low temps (tonights forcast is the 40's overnight). The bloooms have been way down and gardening is tough. Only the tomatoes seem to be doing much of anything.
I have done quite a few bee checks. Last month when I checked the honey super, there was nothing, completely empty comb. I checked again today expecting to see something in there and was surprised to find the super full of brood and empty comb, no traces of honey anywhere. I took the super off and opened the top brod box and saw the same scenario. Lots of brood (and overall lots of bees) but no honey. Just lots of empty comb on the edges of the brood frames.
I have been feeding the bees for the last month with the sugar syrup. Very low activity out there even on the rare sunny days.
Anything I should do different? Should I put another super on since the current one seems to be a brrod box now? Should I expect any honey at all this year?
Thanks in advance!
Tara
Ditto. I think they've been using the nectar almost as fast as they gather it. I've been feeding all month as well. One of my packages even consumed a frame of capped honey that I gave them and backfilled it with brood. Hopefully the goldenrod will be amazing this year.
Cross your fingers, maybe your weather will turn around. Last year was a complete loss here with weather like you describe. I swear we must have had only 4 sunny days, and so cold, it was really depressing. This year it is a complete reversal, sunny days every day and hotter than I've ever remembered in Alaska, my hives are FULL of honey and I'm so grateful. I don't think I could have taken another dreary summer. Fall will begin to come in a few weeks with cool nights, my garden has never been so beautiful.