August is vital for bees and pollinators in Central Oregon.

August is a vital month for bees in Central Oregon, particularly for beekeepers preparing hives for winter. While many focus on late-summer harvests, beekeepers assess hive health, food reserves, and colony strength during this time. It’s also when they treat for mites and harvest honey, ensuring bees have enough food as nectar sources dwindle. Rabbitbrush begins to bloom, providing a crucial secondary nectar source. The bees that enter the colony in late summer become the “winter bees,” essential for the hive's survival until spring.