Goldenrod, JoePye Weed and coneflowers are now getting past their prime. In addition there are few agricultural flowers available other than occasional alfalfa fields. Now until the first frost the main flowers available for the bees are from the aster family. Here are a few photos from beekeepers Gerard and Fred.
With the decline is available forage robbing will begin in apairies with closely spaced hives. Make sure to reduce the entrance to 3" on strong hives and even down to 1 inch on weak hives.
Small flowered aster
Bee working small flowered aster
New England aster-a perennial that spreads each year
Bee on New England aster
Coneflowers are done for the year
Various asters
Various asters
Not sure what this is but is a nectar source
Robbing has started-robber bees trying to enter hive through small holes
No comments:
Post a Comment