dead bees

[Propaniac]

The snow melted from around the hive and I noticed quite a few dead bees outside the entrance on the ground. Should this be of any concern? I understand not all can make it thru a winter...

[power napper]

Sounds like it warmed up enough for the girls to do a bit of housecleaning Propaniac. I would not be too concerned, sounds normal.

[Propaniac]

Yes it did.. we had a warm set of weather of the last few days near 60! thanks for the help...

[Michael Bush]

>dead bees outside the entrance on the ground.

http://entomology.unl.edu/beekpg/tidings/btid2001/btdapr01.htm#Article2

[hmeadq]

WOW! If you figure that there are 30,000 bees and 2/3 will die that means you have 20,000 dead bees. So I guess that is quite a pile!

Should pick up bees I see in front of the hives or can I leave them.

I'm glas I was not the only one to worry about all the dead bees I saw...

[Michael Bush]

>Should pick up bees I see in front of the hives or can I leave them.

You should always pick up every single bee. No, just kidding. ;) I never pick up any other than if it looks suspicious and I want to examine one.

[Dave W]

>You should always pick up every single bee . . .
AND COUNT THEM! No, just kidding.

I have made a 3' x 3' frame and covered it w/ landscape cloth, originally I want just to kill the grass in front of hive entrance.

But, It wasnt long before I started counting dead bee too. Often some do look suspicious and I do examine one, or two, or more. They are easier to count than mites smile.gif

[Michael Bush]

Now you're counting bees? You need a hobby. Oh... I forgot you have a hobby... ;)

[George Fergusson]

Dave, if I need any counting done, you're hired.

[Aspera]

Its an fine line between beekeeping and OCD :D