 A rooftop research colony started this year as a split appears to be thriving! Photo by Eric Malcolm, July 28, 2026. | Time in the Yard: 4 hours 48 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 14 minutes Time in the Barn: ~10 hours Total Colonies: 65 Temperature (°F): Hi: 88° Low: 62° Avg: 75.6° Total Precipitation: 0.76” |
Actions:
In the yard: Performed health inspection (n=1) on one of our single colony yards. Pulled 17 full honey supers from overwintered colonies (n=20) and removed all empty supers. Left small number of supers with nectar on strong colonies.
In the barn: A group of us cleaned the extraction area and sanitized surfaces and equipment for honey extraction!
Observations:
We are noticing honey production is down this year. We are also starting to see more small hive beetle (SHB) adults this week.
Reflections:
Several overwintered colonies that were strong in the spring produced only one super of honey. This is the second year this appears to be true for at least some of our colonies. To help prevent or minimize small hive beetle damage, we are condensing colonies down to maximize adult bee coverage on each frame.
Things in bloom:
Crepe Myrtle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Dutch Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, Chicory, Common Cinquefoil, Daisy Fleabane, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, Clustered Mountain Mint, Virginia Mountain Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint, Basil, St. John’s Wort, Blue Vervain, Early Goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan, Glossy Abelia, Purple Loosestrife, Wild Potato Vine, New England Aster, Swamp Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Anise Hyssop, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Culver’s Root, Japanese Spiraea, False Sunflower, Winged Sumac
In the yard: Performed health inspection (n=1) on one of our single colony yards. Pulled 17 full honey supers from overwintered colonies (n=20) and removed all empty supers. Left small number of supers with nectar on strong colonies.
In the barn: A group of us cleaned the extraction area and sanitized surfaces and equipment for honey extraction!
Observations:
We are noticing honey production is down this year. We are also starting to see more small hive beetle (SHB) adults this week.
Reflections:
Several overwintered colonies that were strong in the spring produced only one super of honey. This is the second year this appears to be true for at least some of our colonies. To help prevent or minimize small hive beetle damage, we are condensing colonies down to maximize adult bee coverage on each frame.
Things in bloom:
Crepe Myrtle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Dutch Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, Chicory, Common Cinquefoil, Daisy Fleabane, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, Clustered Mountain Mint, Virginia Mountain Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint, Basil, St. John’s Wort, Blue Vervain, Early Goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan, Glossy Abelia, Purple Loosestrife, Wild Potato Vine, New England Aster, Swamp Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Anise Hyssop, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Culver’s Root, Japanese Spiraea, False Sunflower, Winged Sumac