What Is The June Gap?
- Laurence Edwards
- May 23, 2024
- 5 min read
What Is The June Gap? Essential Tips for Managing Your Colonies During Dearth
Are you wondering what is the June Gap? This blog is for you! Beekeeping is a rewarding and intricate hobby, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One such challenge that beekeepers must prepare for is the "June Gap."
This phenomenon can significantly impact the health and productivity of bee colonies, and understanding how to navigate it is crucial for successful beekeeping. In this blog, we will delve into what the June Gap is, why it is important, how beekeepers can manage their colonies during this period, and the risks involved in neglecting this critical time.
What is the June Gap?
The June Gap, often referred to as the "June dearth," is a period during late spring to early summer when nectar flows from flowering plants temporarily decline or stops altogether. This usually occurs in June, hence the name, but the timing can vary depending on the region and local flora. However, in recent seasons, the June Gap has generally occurred at some point in May. It sometimes doesn't occur at all and occasionally lasts for up to 10 days. However on average, its around 3-5 days depending on the local weather conditions.
During this gap, the abundance of blooming plants decreases after the initial spring bloom, leading to a scarcity of nectar and pollen for bees to forage. The further south you are in the UK, the earlier the June Gap tends to occur and conversely, the further north you are, the later it occurs.
How do you know when the June Gap is occurring?
When the June Gap occurs you will notice a sudden temperament swing in your bees. They switch from busy bees who are intent on gathering pollen and nectar to wasteless layabouts with lots of time on their hands. They immediately turn grumpy!
You will also notice lack of intent flying at the entrances of beehives and you may also notice the start of some robbing activity around beehives or syrup containers.
Why is the June Gap Important?
The June Gap is a crucial period for beekeepers because it can affect the health and sustainability of bee colonies. Bees rely heavily on a steady supply of nectar and pollen for food and to produce honey. During the June Gap, the sudden decrease in available resources can lead to stress and malnutrition in the colony. This scarcity can also impact brood rearing, weaken the hive's overall health, and reduce honey production.
Managing Colonies During the June Gap
Effective management of bee colonies during the June Gap is essential to ensure their survival and productivity. Here are some areas to focus on:
Monitor Hive Health: Regularly inspect your hives to assess the colony's condition. Look for signs of stress, such as decreased brood production, dwindling bee populations, and reduced honey stores. If they don't have much stores available during the dearth, take immediate action and feed.
Supplemental Feeding: If necessary, provide your bees with supplemental food sources, such as sugar syrup and pollen patties. This helps to maintain their energy levels and support brood rearing when natural resources are scarce.
Promote Forage Diversity: Plant a variety of flowering plants in your area that bloom at different times. This can help bridge the gap and provide a more consistent source of nectar and pollen.
Reduce Hive Stress: Avoid major hive manipulations during the June Gap. Minimising disturbances can help reduce stress on the colony.
Risks of Neglecting the June Gap
Ignoring the June Gap can have serious consequences for your bee colonies. Here are some potential risks:
Colony Collapse: Without adequate food sources, bee colonies can become severely weakened, leading to a higher risk of colony collapse. The biggest risk here is taking a spring crop just before the June Gap and then assuming the bees can survive. A beehive full of starved bees is heart-breaking!
Increased Pest and Disease Vulnerability: Stressed and malnourished bees are more susceptible to pests and diseases, which can further weaken the colony and lead to losses. Keep an eye out for wasps and reduce entrances if necessary
Poor Brood Development: Inadequate nutrition can affect brood rearing, leading to smaller and weaker bee populations in the following months.
My Recommendation
If you aren't already on a double brood system, detailed below is a very effective and safe management system for bees throughout the season:
Start the year on a single brood box.
Build the colonies up and add queen excluders and supers when required
Keep on adding supers until the June Gap occurs
When it starts, remove ALL the supers and extract the honey but at the same time add an extra brood box with drawn comb/foundation AND add the poly ashforth feeder
Start feeding the very second you remove the supers with 1:1 sugar syrup. Little and often is the best as it simulates a flow. The bees will use the syrup to draw out the foundation and to sustain then during the June Gap. Be sure not overfeed. If they start storing the feed in excess, you can reduce the feeding
Once the summer flow begins, you can remove the super but continue on a double brood system for the rest of the year. This means a slightly reduced summer crop but much less risk of swarming and you don't need to feed as much for the winter months.
Overwinter on double brood but come February/March all of the bees will be up in the top box. You can remove the bottom box and place into storage for the upcoming season.
Rinse and repeat!
An alternative method of June Gap management is to remove the honey crop and then split the colonies to make up nucs to overwinter. There should be ample brood in the colony to make 4-5 nucs from each brood box at this point in the year. If you want to make splits, you can follow our guide HERE - https://www.blackmountainhoney.co.uk/guides/how-to-split-a-beehive
Conclusion
The June Gap is a critical period in beekeeping that requires careful attention and management. By understanding what the June Gap is and implementing effective strategies to support your colonies during this time, you can help ensure the health and productivity of your bees.
Remember, proactive management is key to successful beekeeping. Monitor your hives regularly, provide supplemental feeding, promote forage diversity, and reduce hive stress to navigate the June Gap effectively. By doing so, you'll safeguard your colonies against the risks of neglect and enjoy a bountiful honey harvest.
By incorporating these practices into your beekeeping routine, you'll not only help your bees thrive but ensure that they are able to safely survive during the June Gap.
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