Month by month

Beekeeping in September

When you do open up in September, you are looking for stores (aim for 15 to 20 kg going into winter), a laying queen, no mite problem.

Can I inspect my bees in September?

Yes, while it stays warm: a full inspection needs 15 °C or more, dry, and wind under 22 km/h, between 9am and 6pm. Use the visits to check stores, the queen and the mite drop before winter.

Jobs for September

• Feed thick 2:1 syrup, finishing by the end of the month while they can still process it.
• Finish varroa treatment and check the drop. Requeen or unite anything with a poor queen.
• Entrance blocks in. Hornet watch: September and October are peak months.
• Heft after feeding. Remove queen excluders so the cluster can move up in winter.