Kilbarchan & District Beekeepers Association

August means honey in the hives and the honey flow should be in full swing at the start of the month. By the end of the month, it’s time to take off the main harvest and enjoy the results of our honeybees’ hard work during the summer. That means lifting the ‘supers’ containing frames of stored honey ready for extraction, filtering and then putting into jars. For beekeepers it is also the month that can be regarded as the beginning of the beekeeping year as much of the new brood being reared, provides the adult bees that will overwinter in the colony, ensuring it’s survival. So, if the necessary preparations are not carried out then the bees could be facing a more challenging winter.

However, it’s also a time when we can start to relax a little as the swarming season draws to a close and the risk of losing bees diminishes. Our swarm collectors have been busy in recent weeks with calls to investigate and gather up swarms of bees that have settled themselves around the country. Making stopping off points in some unlikely places including a garden trampoline. Unfortunately, a lot of their time was taken up unnecessarily with requests to remove bumble bee nests, which we do not do.

The bees are still busy collecting pollen and nectar and Himalayan balsam, although categorised as an invasive species, is a favourite at this time of the year along with bright pink rose bay willow herb and bramble flower too. Traditionally, some beekeepers move their hives up to the heather moors now to take advantage of the flower for delicious heather honey. Not so many undertake the journey back and forth with their bees these days. Nevertheless, heather honey gathered in late summer is very special and attracts a higher price as a result.

If you are interested in beekeeping for yourself, please contact our secretary via helenajbee@gmail.com who will provide more details about our association and how to join. We have a Facebook page which is reserved for members and beekeeping friends, but you can follow us on or Twitter @KilbarchanBees and Instagram via kilbarchanbeekeepers