Beekeeping in July: What you need to know

🐝 Beekeeping in July in North Carolina

A month of transition, preparation, and crucial hive care

As the heart of summer settles over North Carolina, July becomes a defining month for beekeepers across the state. Indeed, beekeeping in July in North Carolina necessitates awareness, as the spring nectar flows have mostly passed.

However, sourwood trees may still offer a final burst of nectar in the western mountains. Meanwhile, beekeepers in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain are already entering the seasonal nectar dearth, common when focusing on beekeeping in this area during July.

Let’s walk through what beekeepers should prioritize during this critical time, especially mindful of beekeeping duties related to July conditions.

🍯 1. Start with the Honey Harvest

Early July is often the last window to pull ripe honey from your hives—especially if you’re lucky enough to have access to the coveted sourwood honey in western NC, a unique aspect of beekeeping in July in North Carolina.

➡️ Look for fully capped frames, which indicate the moisture content is low enough for storage.

➡️ Remove supers gently and extract quickly to avoid small hive beetles or fermentation.

Pro tip: Freeze your frames for 48+ hours before storing to kill any potential wax moth eggs.

🔍 2. Next, Check for Varroa Mites

Once the honey supers are off, it’s time to shift your attention to hive health, starting with Varroa mite monitoring. This health check is essential for beekeeping in North Carolina, especially in July. These parasites pose a serious risk if left unchecked.

Use an alcohol wash or sugar shake to test mite levels. If mite loads exceed 2–3%, treat immediately with a heat-tolerant method like formic acid (with caution in hot weather) or oxalic acid dribble (if broodless).

“Your August bees are your winter bees—protect them now.”

👑 3. Then, Evaluate Your Queen

During routine inspections, pay close attention to your queen’s brood pattern. A healthy queen lays in a tight, consistent pattern. On the other hand, spotty or scattered brood may indicate queen failure or disease. Evaluating this way is a crucial part of beekeeping in July.

If necessary, consider requeening. Keep in mind that summer requeening in NC may require extra care due to heat stress and slower queen acceptance.

🔥 4. After That, Prepare for the Dearth

By mid to late July, most regions in North Carolina will experience a nectar dearth. This is when natural food sources become scarce, and robbing becomes a real threat—an additional concern when planning beekeeping activities in July here.

Reduce hive entrances to defend against robbers

Avoid open feeding

Feed light colonies with 1:1 sugar syrup if necessary

💧 5. Meanwhile, Provide Shade and Water

With temperatures soaring across the state, bees need help regulating hive temperature. When beekeeping in North Carolina during July, providing shade becomes crucial. If your apiary is in full sun, consider:

Providing partial shade during the hottest part of the day
Ensuring access to clean water (add pebbles or floats to prevent drowning)

Proper hydration helps bees maintain their brood nest and avoid stress.

📦 6. Lastly, Manage and Store Supers Properly

Once you’ve extracted honey, return wet supers briefly so bees can clean them. Then, store them in a cool, dry place. This practice is an important aspect of beekeeping, especially in the high temperatures of July.

Drawn comb is incredibly valuable, but it’s also a magnet for wax moths and beetles. Prevent problems by freezing and sealing unused frames.

🌼 Final Thoughts: Build for Fall, Starting Now

While it may feel like the beekeeping season is slowing down, July is actually a turning point. Whether you’re involved in beekeeping in North Carolina or elsewhere, the actions you take now—especially with mite control and feeding—will determine how well your colonies perform in the fall and whether they survive the winter.

Stay ahead by: