Budster
08-09-2007, 04:50 PM
How hot is too hot too work hives or remove honey supers. I am concearned about soft wax and dropping comb...
BULLSEYE BILL
08-09-2007, 09:19 PM
When you notice you are dizzy and quit sweating it's time to take a break. :rolleyes:
Swobee
08-09-2007, 10:20 PM
Good advice, Bill. Heat stroke is a serious thing and happened to some friends while on a fire call (volunteer fire dept.) three summers ago. Two of them can't take heat at all any more, it really saps them now days. Somehow I was able to avoid it that day, I guess I didn't get dehydrated or quite as overheated as they did. If you've never worn fire bunker gear one thing I can tell you- I've never been cold while wearing it!
The trick is to drink more water than you think you need and sooner than you think you need it. When you feel thirsty, it's actually too late- you are dehydrated then. Drink lots (of water, the Mead is for later on) all day and keep your body hydrated. We stop a lot during bee working, but my brother is an ER nurse, so he makes sure we stop often. My thoughts are that if I ever crash, I couldn't ask for a better partner than an ER managing nurse.
As for too hot for the bees, I don't know if there is a real number. Haven't read or heard of one so far.
Joseph Clemens
08-10-2007, 01:33 AM
Our dry heat-wave was too much for a couple of hives this year. I've never seen it before, but the bees cooked and the combs melted down - very sad sight.
Brent Bean
08-10-2007, 05:45 AM
Beeswax melts at around 130 Degrees F. which is to hot for even the toughest beekeeper to be in for long.