CG Farms August ‘26 Hive Update
Meet our new Lead Beekeeper, Pat!
“It is great to be part of the Up Top Acres family all supportive of farming and giving back to the environment. I am joining the UTA Team as the new beekeeper. I want to congratulate James Sleigh for his work in keeping the bees and wish him the best in pursuing his career goals.
By way of background, my beekeeping experience began in the early 1980s, when I was snowbound during a major Northeast storm. A beekeeper welcomed me in for the night, and the next morning I saw his snow-covered hives in the backyard. That moment sparked my fascination with honey bees and the important work they do. Today, I manage more than 50 colonies across Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Fairfax, and western Loudoun County. My work includes pollinating a berry farm, selling honey and wax at local farm stands and markets, and providing educational experiences for children and adults. I look forward to meeting you and caring for your bees in support of our environment.”
Do you know the difference between worker honey bees during the spring and summer and worker bees who survive the winter?
Honey bees during the spring and summer typically live between 45 and 60 days. Because of all the different activities of raising brood, caring for the brood, and foraging during the height of the honey flow, they have shorter lives. Conversely, honey bees raised in late summer to early fall are known as winter bees. These bees retain a great percentage of their fat bodies and consequently have a longer lifespan, another essential element for the colony to survive the colder winter months ahead. Their thicker fat bodies also help insulate them and their hive mates during the winter.
Busy August
It is great to be the newest member of the Up Top Acres Team taking care of the honey bees. A big thank you to James Sleigh for a successful handoff of the colony at CG Farms. Before James headed back to school, he and Charlotte Duke harvested honey in mid-August, so look for the honey delivery soon!
During my first inspections of the colonies at CG Farms, I conducted Varroa mite tests. The Varroa mite is the number 1 pest that feeds on the adult bee and capped brood fat bodies and are a vector of viruses that harm the bees. The good news for both colonies is that levels for 300 bees tested are below 1%! I am going to continue to watch the resources (e.g., honey, pollen) the colonies have available heading into the winter. Colonies to survive the winter in this region need 40 to 60 pounds of honey. If these colonies need more stores as we head into the fall, sugar syrup will be fed during September and October.
I am also going to spread some diatomaceous earth (white powder) around the colonies to address the small hive beetles. Proactively addressing small hive beetles in ground-level colonies is just another measure to keep the bees safe and healthy.
Good news! All of the honey has been extracted from the frames and is being jarred. We should have the jars ready for you by next month. Stay tuned for updates!