Right now we've had a number of over 50 degree days and the bees get out and fly so I don't have an entrance reducer on my hives. However, it will be below freezing tonight and probably tomorrow I'll put entrance reducers on my hives to help the bees keep out intruders.
I did open Persephone and gave the hive a bag of syrup to help them with their low supplies. They were not happy to see me (it was 4:30, cold and almost sundown). I only got one slit cut in the bag and will revisit this hive feeder bag tomorrow or the next day to cut slits that are useful for the bees.
I saw a ton of hive beetles in this hive just under the sugar syrup Ziploc. I didn't stay in the hive long enough to kill them but was disgusted with how many there were. Even though this picture is not focused, I thought I'd show you their large numbers - and that's only under the sugar syrup bag......GRRRR.
After a very warm november in NY we were also just talking about building a wind break around our hives to aid in keeping them a bit warmer. we are hoping our first season of bees make it through the winter.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Alberta, Canada and I'm wrapping the bees up for Winter - they don't get unwrapped until May - but I'm not sure about the pooping part. I now bees normally go outside on a warmer day to relieve themselves, but here there are no warm days and the bees are wrapped up and can not go out until we unwrap in May. So do the bees poop inside? I assume they do but I thought bees don't do that. I'm just curious...I know all beekeepers up here wrap up their bees so I assume its fine but it concerns me as I know bees like to keep their hives very clean.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
According to this post (http://apiculture.ncf.ca/Wintering.htm) from a man in Quebec, bees can hold up to half their weight in fecal matter in their body after which, if flying isn't possible, they WILL relieve themselves inside the hive. That's never necessary for them here in the deep South but up where you wrap the hives for winter, I expect that is not an infrequent occurrence.
ReplyDeleteOh thats so reassuring to know! Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteI live near Denver where there's suddenly a huge controversy about bees. A woman with three hives was fined and threatened with jail time. A councilwoman picked up the cause and now it's a big issue today. Some people are trying to get beehives legal in the city, while others are fighting it, saying it would be way too dangerous for people who are allergic to bee stings. They are so mis-informed. Here's a link to the story: http://m.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/to-bee-or-not-in-denver/ Vikki www.thorntonwilliamsfamily.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIT IS REALLY HARD WORK
ReplyDeleteArgh! Small hive beetles are nasty to deal with. What do you like to use to deal with them pesky bugs?
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know how excited I was to find your blog, I started reading at the beginning the other day, haven't finished yet but what a wealth of information! My husband has always wanted to keep bees, we have recently bought a house and are now looking seriously into starting an apiary. We live about an hour south of Atlanta so your info will be spot on for us here. Thanks so much for sharing your journey and knowledge!
ReplyDeleteRebekah