Honeybees face significant difficulty gathering nectar during August, according to direct measurements of foraging patterns [1, 2].
This seasonal shortage creates a critical gap in food availability that can threaten colony stability before winter. Because honeybees rely on consistent nectar flows to build stores, a late-summer deficit puts pollinators at risk during a period when summer is still in full swing [3].
Research indicates that late summer is the hardest time of year for honeybees to forage [5]. The decline in nectar availability occurs as many primary flowering plants finish their bloom cycles, leaving bees with fewer options for sustenance [1]. This period is often described as a hungry month for the insects [3].
Conservationists said that changing landscaping habits could mitigate these shortages. Allowing late-summer weeds to grow in gardens and public spaces provides an alternative food source for struggling colonies [4]. Common weeds that typically bloom during this window include thistles, and ragwort [1, 4].
While these plants are often viewed as nuisances by homeowners, they serve as vital ecological bridges. By providing nectar when cultivated flowers have faded, these wild plants ensure that honeybees can continue gathering the nutrients necessary for survival [4, 5].
“Late summer is the hardest time of year for honeybees to forage.”
The struggle honeybees face in August highlights a gap in urban and suburban biodiversity. While managed gardens provide peak blooms in spring and early summer, the lack of late-season forage creates a nutritional bottleneck. Shifting the perception of 'weeds' from pests to essential pollinator supports could improve colony resilience and support broader ecosystem health.
