Glossary
A period during autumn when natural nectar sources diminish significantly, leaving colonies without sufficient income to maintain food stores. Fall dearths can be particularly dangerous because colonies are still actively rearing winter bees but have limited or no incoming nectar to support this activity.
In much of the United States, the period between the end of the major summer nectar flow and the onset of any fall flow (like goldenrod or aster) represents a critical dearth. In Florida, the summer dearth often extends from late June through September in many areas, with the fall Brazilian pepper flow providing relief in South Florida but not in all regions.
During dearth periods, colonies shift from expansion mode to conservation mode. Foragers find less and less nectar, which triggers the colony to reduce brood rearing, evict drones, and begin defensive behavior at the entrance as the risk of robbing by other colonies increases.
Beekeepers must monitor food stores carefully during dearth periods. A colony that runs short of food in fall cannot build up the winter bee population it needs to survive. Supplemental feeding with 2:1 sugar syrup (two parts sugar to one part water by weight) stimulates fall brood rearing and ensures adequate stores going into winter.
Reducing hive entrances during dearth helps prevent robbing, a behavior where foragers from stronger colonies steal honey from weaker ones. In severe robbing situations, entire colonies can be overwhelmed and stripped of their stores in hours. Entrance reducers, keeping hives strong, and avoiding open feeding reduce robbing pressure.
Heft (lift) the back of the hive. A colony going into winter should feel heavy. If it feels light, feeding is needed. A deep frame full of honey weighs approximately 8 pounds. In temperate climates, colonies should have 60 to 90 pounds of stored honey for winter.
Fall feeding uses thick syrup: 2 parts sugar to 1 part water by weight. This ratio is easier for bees to process into stored food with minimal evaporation work, compared to the thinner 1:1 ratio used for spring stimulation feeding.
If honey supers have been removed before feeding begins (which they should be), supplemental feeding does not affect the quality of harvested honey. The sugar syrup is stored in the brood boxes for the colony's own winter consumption, not for human harvest.
Keep Learning
Browse hundreds of terms covering honey, beekeeping, and natural skincare.