Early blooms and beekeeping in PA June

By Blake Jackson

June in Pennsylvania brings long, hot days and the official start of summer. This year, the summer solstice arrived on June 20th, the earliest in 228 years. As the days lengthen, beekeepers see a shift in their colonies, with brood rearing reaching its peak before a gradual decline.

The heat brought a statewide heatwave in the third week of June, with temperatures soaring into the 90s. This could accelerate the summer dearth, a period with limited nectar flow, impacting beekeeping especially in southern counties. Early blooms of goldenrod and Japanese knotweed were also observed in some areas.

June 12th to 23rd marked National Pollinator Week, highlighting the vital role of pollinators like bees in our food production and ecosystems. Governor Josh Shapiro signed a resolution recognizing this week and the contributions of beekeepers in maintaining healthy bee populations.

The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association (PSBA) plays a crucial role in beekeeping advocacy and education.

They collaborate with the Department of Agriculture and universities to promote best practices and disease prevention. Additionally, the state enforces the Bee Law and manages wildlife habitats.

Another significant development is the proposed Plant and Pollinator Protection Act (Senate Bill 1198). This legislation aims to protect pollinators and their habitats.

While generally well-received, there are some areas for clarification, which the PSBA plans to discuss in an open forum at their July 20th summer meeting.

The Pennsylvania Queen Bee Improvement Project also hosted an insemination workshop in June. This event provided beekeepers with opportunities to learn and improve their skills in instrumental insemination and germplasm collection.

Finally, a research project funded by Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NSARE) is exploring the use of climate-controlled storage for honeybees over winter.

This practice, common in other regions, can improve bee health and profitability in Pennsylvania by reducing colony losses and expenses. While the data analysis is ongoing, initial results are promising.

Overall, June was a busy month for beekeeping in Pennsylvania, with a focus on education, collaboration, and exploring innovative solutions to ensure the health and sustainability of bee populations.

Photo Credit: pexels-pixabay