What is a nectar dearth in beekeeping?

A nectar dearth occurs when flowers stop producing nectar, leaving honeybees with limited food sources. It often happens during hot, dry periods when plants conserve moisture and halt nectar flow.

How can I tell if my bees are in a nectar dearth?

Signs of a nectar dearth include increased aggression, robbing behavior, fewer bees returning with pollen, and the colony consuming stored honey more quickly than usual.

When do nectar dearths usually occur?

Nectar dearths most often occur in mid to late summer when temperatures rise and rainfall drops, though the timing depends on regional climate and local forage availability.

How does a nectar dearth affect honeybee behavior?

During a dearth, foragers fly farther in search of food, guard bees become more defensive, and the colony may begin robbing nearby hives for stored honey.

Does the queen stop laying eggs during a nectar dearth?

Yes. When nectar becomes scarce, the queen often slows or stops egg laying to help the colony conserve food and resources until conditions improve.

Should I feed my bees during a nectar dearth?

Yes, feeding can prevent starvation and reduce robbing. Light sugar syrup or 1:1 syrup can supplement nectar flow until natural sources return, but feed carefully to avoid attracting other colonies.

How can I prevent robbing during a nectar dearth?

Reduce hive entrances, install robbing screens, avoid open feeding, and minimize inspections to keep scent cues and hive disturbance to a minimum.

What happens when the nectar flow returns?

When flowers bloom again, bee activity increases, aggression drops, and the queen resumes egg laying. Colonies recover quickly once nectar is abundant.

Does a nectar dearth affect wild pollinators too?

Yes. Native bees and other pollinators also struggle during dearths since they rely on the same floral resources. Dearths can stress entire pollinator ecosystems.

How can beekeepers prepare for future nectar dearths?

Plan ahead by monitoring local bloom cycles, keeping emergency feed ready, planting drought-tolerant forage, and maintaining strong, healthy colonies that can handle temporary shortages.

What Happens During a Honeybee Nectar Dearth.

Pete Rizzo
Oct 10
4 min read

Recognizing the Signs of Nectar Shortage in Your Apiary.

When flowers dry up and the landscape turns brown, the hive’s behavior changes fast. As a beekeeper, I’ve learned to recognize the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of a nectar dearth long before the bees run out of food.

Understanding what happens inside the hive during this stressful period is key to keeping colonies healthy and preventing chaos.

What Is a Nectar Dearth?

A nectar dearth occurs when flowering plants stop producing nectar, leaving honeybees with few natural food sources. It’s not the same as winter scarcity, it can happen anytime temperatures are high and rainfall is low, especially in late summer.

When nectar dries up, bees face an immediate shortage of carbohydrates. This change alters their behavior, disrupts the colony’s internal balance, and can even affect the queen’s egg-laying pattern.

How the Hive Reacts When Nectar Disappears

Foraging Efforts Intensify

Worker bees start flying farther and longer in search of food. Foragers spend more time scouting, often burning more energy than they collect. You might see them inspecting water sources, birdbaths, or even human sweat for moisture.

Robber bees will become a big problem if you don't act fast

Robbing Behavior Begins

When resources vanish, colonies turn on each other. Strong hives may try to invade weaker ones to steal honey. This “robbing frenzy” can become violent, spreading disease and killing bees in the process.

Tip: Reduce hive entrances and avoid leaving honey or syrup exposed during a dearth.

Queen Egg Laying Slows Down

With less incoming nectar, the colony naturally reduces brood rearing. The queen may stop laying entirely until conditions improve. This is the hive’s way of conserving resources, ensuring that existing bees survive the drought.

Guard Bees Can Become More Aggressive

During a dearth, the entire colony tightens security. Guard bees can grow defensive, stinging at minor disturbances. If you notice unusually hot temperaments at your apiary, a nectar dearth could be the cause.

Stored Honey Becomes the Lifeline

Bees turn to their reserves, eating through stored honey at a rapid rate. This is when the beekeeper’s management skills really matter, whether that means feeding, equalizing hives, or swapping frames from stronger colonies.

How Beekeepers Can Help Bees Survive a Dearth

Feed Wisely: Offer 1:1 sugar syrup or light syrup to stimulate foraging and prevent starvation. Avoid spilling syrup near hives.
Control Robbing: Reduce entrances, use robbing screens, and don’t open multiple colonies at once.
Provide Water: Bees still need hydration to cool the hive and dilute honey. Keep a fresh, bee-safe water source available.
Inspect Frequently: Watch brood patterns and weight. If frames feel light, supplemental feeding is essential.
Plan Ahead: A strong spring nectar flow doesn’t guarantee summer abundance. Always prepare for a mid-season dearth.

Recognizing When the Dearth Is Over

Once new blooms appear, bee behavior changes quickly. Foragers return with full pollen baskets, guard bees relax, and the queen resumes laying.

You’ll notice a new buzz of activity around the entrance, signaling relief and recovery for the colony.

Why Dearth Periods Matter in Beekeeping

Nectar dearths shape the rhythm of beekeeping. They test a colony’s strength, a beekeeper’s preparedness, and the balance of local ecosystems.

Understanding them helps you prevent robbing, maintain colony health, and keep bees alive through tough seasons.

If you manage hives in hot, arid regions like Las Vegas, dearth management isn’t just seasonal, it’s strategic survival.

Key Takeaway

A nectar dearth is more than just a lack of flowers, it’s a stress test for every colony. When you understand the signs and respond early, you protect not just your bees but the long-term stability of your apiary.

Keep in mind that wild pollinators also struggle during dearths, competing for scarce blooms.

Betsy & Pete

Vegas Bees

🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team

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About Us: The Authors

We’re Betsy and Pete - Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas

We’re not just in the bee business, we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by hundreds of successful removals, we are dedicated to rescuing and relocating honey bees with care and precision.

Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees.

At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.

Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring

Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.

Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.

We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.