It feels like it has rained constantly these last couple of years. It just goes to show that there CAN be too much of a good thing. In this instance, it’s rain.
The rain, especially the thunderstorms, have completely wiped out any chance of a spring honey crop from the Black Locust. If you are in an area where it is raining for several days straight, it is very important to feed your bees if you want any chance of a Summer crop.
When nectar and pollen stop coming into the hive, the Queen may cease laying, and Workers may even cannibalize brood. This interruption in the brood rearing cycle will lessen or eliminate your honey harvest. You need lots of bees to make lots of honey.
When the forecast looks miserable for long periods of time, don’t be afraid to throw a quart jar of syrup and a small piece of pollen patty onto your hives to ensure that the colony keeps laying eggs and rearing brood. If you’re worried about honey contamination, simply take your supers off until the weather clears up. However, one quart of syrup will most likely be rapidly consumed by the bees since no natural forage is coming into the hive.
Let me know your thoughts below. Here’s hoping that you, and your bees, stay dry in this miserable weather.