dead bees

[newbee 101]

As my name implies I am very new to bee keeping. I have my first hive now 3 weeks.I was lucky enough to get some drawn comb from a friend to get a good start. Everything seems to be going very well, I have capped brood everywhere,larvae in all stages of growth and lots of pollen and honey(some capped). I also added a 2nd super yesterday since 8 of the 10 frames are either full or drawn. My problem is this is the 2nd time in 3 weeks that I found about a dozen or so dead bees outside the hive. I have even seen them pull out weak or injured bees and drop them outside or fly off with them.These are not the dead bees that were in the drawn comb (old and dried up) Is this normal?

[This message has been edited by newbee 101 (edited May 30, 2004).]

[dcross]

A dozen bees is nothing, the workers are constantly dying, some of them do it in the hive. Some young bees actually specialize in undertaking.

[newbee 101]

I was kinda of worried they had some disease or something. Thanks for the info, I have learned a LOT on this message board.

[newbee 101]

My first hive....

http://www.acmepainting.com/hive.jpg


[This message has been edited by newbee 101 (edited May 30, 2004).]

[Alex Cantacuzene]

Congratulations Newbee. Thanks for the photo, the location seems to be good as the fence provides protection and forces the bees to fly above head level should they decide to cross the neighbors yard. Here in Kentucky I used some nylon straps last night due to the very stormy weather. Our bees are on stands about 18" above the ground and fastened down to prevent them from being knocked over. I like the straps because concrete blocks are heavy and not too good looking, we have no fences and the neighbors can see them. You might think about moving your hives a little away from your fence though to have room to work.They like you to stay out of their flight path. Have fun and good luck, there is lots to learn and this is the place for it.

[dickm]

Hi Newbee101,
Welcome to the club.
I live in Danbury and have hives in Newtown and so go through Bethel (enroute bees) almost every day. If you'd like to come along some day, contact me. E-mail at
dickm @snet.net


Dickm

[Scot Mc Pherson]

Interesting. I used to keep bees in Norwalk, CT. East Norwalk actually. It is the place I set up my first bee hive that I received as a christmas gift when I was 15 years old.

[newbee 101]

Thanks everybody for the replys. Im gonna take you up on the offer dickm. How many hives you got?

[dickm]

It varies from 18 to 20. Ask me again when swarm season is over!

Dickm