Surviving the Summer Dearth in Wendell, North Carolina

Helping Our Honey Bees Through the Hottest Months

If you thought beekeeping slowed down after honey harvest season — think again! Once the nectar flow ends here in central North Carolina (usually in early June), our bees enter what’s known as “the dearth.” It sounds like it’s from Star Wars, but it is a real thing!

In simple terms, the dearth is the stretch of summer when there’s very little nectar available for honey bees to collect. Flowers stop blooming, the weather gets hot and dry, and the bees suddenly find themselves without their usual buffet of wildflowers. It’s kind of like when your favorite restaurant closes for renovation — there’s still food somewhere, but not much, and it takes a lot of effort to find it.

Summer buckwheat for the Bad Attitude Bees' colonies

In our part of the state — around Wendell and the greater Raleigh area — the dearth usually runs from mid-June through August, sometimes stretching into early September if the summer is especially dry. Other regions of the country experience it at different times, depending on local climate and flora, but for us, those two to three months can feel long for both the bees and the beekeepers.

During this period, we give our bees a little help by feeding them a 1:1 mixture of granulated sugar and water (by weight). This light syrup mimics the consistency of natural nectar and helps the colonies maintain strength, raise brood, and keep the hive humming until the next nectar flow begins in the fall. It’s not a replacement for the real thing, but it keeps everyone happy (and a little less cranky) during the toughest part of the summer.

Plantings that help pollinators during the summer

While we can’t control the weather, we can give the bees a few extra food sources close to home. Alongside our hives, we plant sunflowers and buckwheat each summer — two pollinator favorites that thrive in the North Carolina heat.

Buckwheat, in particular, has become one of our secret weapons. It blooms in less than six weeks, providing quick bursts of nectar and pollen right when bees need it most. Its tiny white flowers are irresistible not only to honey bees but also to native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

If you’ve got a little garden space, planting buckwheat and sunflowers during the summer months is an easy way to help all pollinators survive the dearth. Plus, nothing beats the sight of a bright sunflower patch buzzing with life on a hot July afternoon.

From our family to yours — thank you for following along on our beekeeping journey here in Wendell. Every jar of honey, every flower planted, and every buzzing hive helps keep North Carolina’s pollinators going strong!