Behind the hive: How a chilly spring has slowed Saskatchewan’s honey season

People haven’t been the only ones waiting for summer weather to arrive in Saskatchewan.

After a long, chilly spring, the province’s honey bees are still playing catch up. Simon LaLonde, president of the Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission, said weeks of cool, wet weather delayed colony growth at the most important time of the year.

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But the cooler-than-normal spring didn’t kill off bee colonies. In fact, LaLonde said bees actually came through the winter in excellent shape. Instead, the problem was what happened after winter ended.

“The entire spring was so cold. That really slowed down how quickly the bees built up. There’s a lot fewer bees in the beehive than we would like to see right now,” he explained.

LaLonde said cooler temperatures keep bees inside the hive longer, which prevents them from collecting the nectar and pollen they need to grow healthy colonies.

While honey bees generate their own heat to keep the hives warm, he said extended stretches of cold weather prompt the queens to slow egg production, meaning fewer worker bees are available when flowers begin to bloom.

“The hives actually look like it’s more the middle of June instead of July 7,” LaLonde said.

“That’s going to impact how much of a honey crop those hives can bring in.”

He said the timing matters because Saskatchewan’s honey season is remarkably short.

“Our honey season only runs seven weeks for the entire season, and we’re barely starting week number one,” he said.

LaLonde also said the two biggest food sources for honey bees in the spring didn’t co-operate this year, which has also contributed to the delay.

“When the dandelions started blooming, we had really cool weather,” he explained.

“The caraganas came out in that week when it was 34 or 35 C across the province. They bloomed very quickly, and the really high winds limited how much nectar the bees could get off of those.”

Because of the issues, LaLonde said bees are currently reliant on canola, alfalfa and clover.

Despite the issues caused by the cool temperatures, LaLonde said a type of tick known as the varroa mite is the number-one concern for beekeepers across the province.

“Those varroa mites are becoming more resistant to some of the treatments that we have for them,” he explained.

“That’s what kills the most hives.”

Despite the slow start, Lalonde said he isn’t ready to write off this year’s honey crop. With canola starting to flower, he said favourable weather over the coming weeks could help colonies make up lost ground.

“The current forecast is looking awesome, 25 to 28 C. It’s the perfect weather for bees to go out and make honey,” LaLonde said.