EastBoro 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
I’m excited to join the Up Top Acres team and help care for the honey bees. Thank you to James Sleigh for the smooth handoff of the colony at East Boro, 8251 Greensboro Drive. Before James returned to school, he and Charlotte Duke harvested honey in mid-August, so honey delivery should be coming soon!
During my first visit to the colony, I saw the queen along with all stages of brood: eggs, larvae, and capped brood. These are strong signs that the queen and colony are healthy at this point in the season. As we prepare for winter, the goal is to ensure the colony has 40 to 60 pounds of honey, which is needed in our region to make it through the colder months. On my next visit, I will begin providing sugar syrup, so the bees have adequate stores. While honey and pollen are important for winter survival, the colony also needs a large cluster of bees to stay warm through cold weather that is why right now keeping the mite loads down below 1% is key.
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!