Beekeeping Tips for Hot Weather
Summer heat can be tough on honey bees and the beekeepers (like me) who care for them. While your hives have impressive ways to regulate internal hive temperatures, long periods of hot weather causes stress on the colony and the beekeeper. These beekeeping tips for hot weather will help you understand how bees deal with high temperatures and what you can do to survive the season.
As a long-time beekeeper, living in the South, I am all too familiar with sweaty bee suits. Some summer beekeeping tasks have to happen – regardless of the weather. But, don’t forget to take care of yourself – your bees need you.
Hot Weather Challenges for Bees and Beekeepers
In my region, bees and humans feel the effects of soaring temperatures. But the real challenge is often the combination of heat and humidity.
This situation causes extra stress for the bees and can be extremely dangerous for those of us working in the bee yard.
How Honey Bees Cope with Hot Weather
Honey bees have several strategies to cool internal hive temperatures during the hottest days.
Worker bees fan their wings to evaporate water droplets placed around on the comb. Evaporative cooling works but it is a lot of work. This takes away from time that could be spent foraging for nectar.
Beekeepers should watch for signs of heat stress and try to find way to help. If you’d like to learn more about bearding, hive ventilation, and keeping colonies cool during extreme temperatures, see my guide on keeping beehives cool.
Why Heat Can Be Tough on Beekeepers
Hot weather can be just as challenging for us beekeepers. We wear protective bee clothing that traps heat around our body. Ventilated suits and jackets help a bit – but you will still get hot– ask me how I know.
Even a short hive inspection can be exhausting when temperatures and humidity are high. I try to schedule inspections during the cooler times of day – but that is not always possible. Overheating and dehydration are major risks during hot weather.
Planning Hive Work During Hot Weather
Planning ahead helps your bee chores go more smoothly. This is not always possible – sometimes things just happen and you must act.
And with the hot weather neither you or the bees are in the best mood. These tips help protect the hive and the beekeeper and make important colony maintenance a bit easier to perform.
Choose the Coolest Part of the Day
If you have a day job, you may not have as much flexibility in timing your routine hive inspections.
However, strive to do perform necessary beekeeping tasks early in the morning. It will be a bit cooler and hopefully many of the bees will be out looking for pollen and nectar.
Evening inspections are okay too but you will have to deal with more of the work force being in the hive. Be sure to use your bee smoker with cool white smoke. Cool smoke calms honey bees.
Keep Hive Inspections Short
Short hive inspections are almost always preferable to long drawn-out events. The bees do not like having the top off their home or a giant dressed in white messing around in the hive.
The longer the hive is open – the bigger the risk of bee stings and buzzing chaos.
Postpone Non-Essential Tasks
Sometimes, especially on hot humid days – its okay to let a few hive tasks slide. You want to go into that deep box and find your queen bee everytime– but do you really need to right now?
If you find frames with fresh eggs and young bee larvae – save that deep inspection for a cooler day.
Watch Weather Conditions Closely
Check the weather forecast before heading to the bee yard. Pay attention to expected high temperature, humidity and heat index values.
If extreme temperatures or heat advisories are expected, it may be best to delay non-essential tasks and wait for cooler conditions.
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Staying Safe While Working Bees in the Heat
Of course, beekeeping safety should be practiced all year long – but beekeeping in hot weather requires some special considerations.
With just a little consideration, you can safely take proper care of your hives. And sometimes – you just cant wait for a cooler time!
Dress for Comfort and Protection
Lightweight-colored clothing, ventilated bee jackets, and mesh veils can make working colonies much more comfortable during hot weather. Now let’s be real – you will still be hot! But hopefully not dangerously hot.
Regardless of what protective gear you wear, make sure it provides adequate protection for your experience level and the temperament of your bees.
Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion can develop quickly when high temperatures combine with humidity and protective clothing.
Watch for symptoms such as dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, or unusual fatigue. If symptoms develop, stop working and move to a cooler location immediately.
My Personal Tips for Surviving the Heat in the Bee Yard
- drink plenty of water before you go to the bee yard
- take water with you to the bee yard to refresh
- take frequent breaks in the shade (inspect a hive – sit and cool a bit)
- put a wet cloth in a plastic bag with some ice cubes (this gives you a cool wet cloth to wipe your face)
- invest in a cool vest that has ice packs (expensive but worth it – I used one for years)
- buy an inexpensive neck fan – rechargeable and fits inside your veil
The danger of becoming seriously ill or even dying from overheating is real. There has been a couple of time when I almost pushed myself too far.
That is one reason I no longer keep a lot of hives – beekeeping in hot weather is not easy.
Common Mistakes Beekeepers Make in Hot Weather
I have personally failed at each one of these at some point in my beekeeping journey. Most are a result of trying to hurry or just having too much to do and struggling to do it all.
Some beekeeping mistakes can be avoided or at least not repeated over and over.
- Trying to Accomplish Too Much Midday – avoid working colonies during the hottest part of the day-bees are more aggressive
- Ignoring Personal Heat Stress – Beekeepers are often so focused on their colonies that they overlook their own physical condition. Heat exhaustion can sneak up on you.
- Leaving Equipment in Direct Sunlight – Metal hive tools, smokers, etc can become surprisingly hot during summer – keep equipment in the shade until needed.
As we grow older, hot weather can take a bigger toll but it does not mean you have to quit beekeeping but rather do better planning.
FAQs
You may observe behaviors such as bees bearding on the front of the hive, or excessive fanning at the hive entrance as a sign of overheating.
If a natural water source is unavailable, you can provide a shallow dish filled with water and floating materials like corks or pebbles to prevent bees from drowning.
Yes, hot and humid weather can create favorable conditions for several bacterial and fungal diseases.
Ventilated beekeeping suits are ideal for hot weather, as they allow better airflow and help reduce the risk of overheating. Lightweight, breathable clothing worn under the suit can also help (or you can wear a sports bra and panties ladies).
If a heatwave coincides with honey harvesting or other major hive activities, plan to perform these tasks early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Ensure you have plenty of water on hand, take frequent breaks in the shade.
Final Thoughts
The old adage “live to play another day” can certainly be used in reference to beekeeping in hot weather. Disrupting the colonies is a stressor to the bees – why do that if you can avoid it. Make smart choices and working your colonies will be safer and more enjoyable. Having said that, I too am guilty of trying to catch a bee swarm on the hottest days of Summer. Sometimes you can’t wait! Right?
I may be moving to South Carolina later this year from upstate New York. I currently have three hives of bees and really don’t want to leave them behind but don’t know if I will be allowed to bring them with me. What are the rules about bringing them into the state? Community laws or restrictions? We are looking at the Summerville North Charleston area. Who would I talk to about getting information?
Thanks
I would connect with the Charleston Beekeepers Association – they have an active group and will know all the latest dos and don’ts.
very thanks.
This hot weather is hard to deal with for sure.