Solstice

[Do224]

I keep seeing mention in various threads that the June solstice is a turning point for the bees.

I’m assuming it’s just a rough guide…or does it tend to be pretty accurate?

So what tends to happen after the solstice? Swarming reduces markedly? Colonies begin to contract rather than grow? Expect to see more stores in the brood box? Drones are no longer laid?

 

[Murox]

Theoretically, but its a guide and a gradual process, drone laying depends more on their need/whims and stores get put where they want them anyway.

 

[Swarm]

June is the summer solstice. Solstice summer and winter, Equinox spring and autumn.

 

[JamezF]

June is the summer solstice. Solstice summer and winter, Equinox spring and autumn.

Quite. The equinoxes occur when night and day are (give or take) the same length. Solstices are when the Sun reaches it's highest and lowest maximum elevation in the sky.

I suspect any changes in the bees behaviour after the Summer solstice are more likely to be due to reduced income of pollen and nectar because there are a reducing number of daylight hours to go foraging (as well as fewer plants available to forage on, perhaps) and that the bees are not responding to directly to the solstice event itself. The link between any change in behaviour and the solstice is probably more down to it being easy for beekeepers to remember, though I imagine "sometime around the end of June" would work equally well as a substitute.

James

 

[Erichalfbee]

So what tends to happen after the solstice?

I have a granddaughter born on the right side of the winter solstice. A favourable portent

 

[JamezF]

I have a granddaughter born on the right side of the winter solstice. A favourable portend.

There's something sinister about the ones born on the left side.

James

 

[magor]

So what tends to happen after the solstice?
I’m assuming it’s just a rough guide…or does it tend to be pretty accurate?

solstice is the birth of dark and light summer solstice the birth of dark and winter of light , its the cyrcle of life and for bees the cyrcle of brood which follows it while equinox is about who ll lead the battle ,dark or light and so all together the birth of the seassons for bees equinox has to do with the birth change of population ,summer bees and winter bees(following the pollen path) and so if you if you connect them and make the cross cyrcle you will see the whole bees bio life cyrcle in quadrants and so where you are how close or far from next

both solstice and equinox is not a thing we notice directly but its happening same goes with bees we see anything in a delay

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

So what tends to happen after the solstice

nothing much, people like to add myth and legends to their beekeeping.
Personally I have found over the years that the Royal Welsh show is a good marker to the turning point in the year

There's something sinister about the ones born on the left side

but I've found that left handers tend to be more dextrous.

 

[blackcloud]

We just dance around naked and get a cell for the night for D and D.

 

[Wilco]

nothing much, people like to add myth and legends to their beekeeping.
Personally I have found over the years that the Royal Welsh show is a good marker to the turning point in the year

but I've found that left handers tend to be more dextrous.

The right handers are basically cattle.

 

[JamezF]

The right handers are basically cattle.

Sounds like a load of bull to me.

James

 

[Oculentum]

There's something sinister about the ones born on the left side.

James

But are they any less dextrous?


edit: apologies JBM, I didn't see your earlier comment

 

[enrico]

If I type with my left hand sneppah sith

 

[B_north]

The beliefs around bee behaviour and the summer solstice are location dependant. The solstice has long passed and my bees have yet to ramp up. The main flow is one week out.

So sure, use the timing of bee behaviour and what to expect based the summer solstice but remember to only pay attention to advice on what to do based on the solstice from those in your own geographical zone.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

In general, egg laying will reduce after the end of June, but lots of foragers to come though! Bees can spend their energies on gathering enough food for winter (which we can nick if there's some spare) rather than having a large brood-nest to feed all year. Swarming will also become less likely as July moves on too.
It is very apparent that nucleus colonies grow like crackers in May and June. Much less quickly in July and August, despite the later months being warm and easy for brood-rearing.

 

[Darryl]

We just dance around naked and get a cell for the night for D and D.

Odd way to complete your hive inspections - rather risky too.