View Full Version : Dead hive
I noticed my entrance reducer had been pushed into the hive the other day and some dead bee's inside. I repositioned the reducer. Today it was warm enough to ck it out and see how they where doing after I didnt see many bee's flying around this hive. I opened it up and found nothing but dead bee's
:( Could they have frroze when the reducer got pushed into the hive? Its been real windy and down into the lower teens and 20's for lows the past few weeks. My other hives next to it are doing well.
What to do w/ they stores from the dead bee's hive?:(:(:(
mike haney
11-26-2008, 06:00 PM
if the wind was not directly blowing in the entrance-say wind out of the west and the entrance faced south, this most likely was not a factor(the reducer). i have top entrances and leave them wide open all winter. look for late brood-they will starve rather than leave it. if you dont think disease was a factor, just save the comb and stores for another hive or an early split. good luck,mike
sierrabees
11-26-2008, 08:58 PM
Pushed in means an outside force. Skunk or racoon are the most likely. Any sign of dead bees crushed on the landing board?
I thought a critter also. Could bee so since I have coons, fox, skunks, etc all over here. Never had a problem all year but:s
The bee's where all balled up in the top center of the deep from what I could see once I took off the super. I didn't tear into the deep yet. Hope to tomorrow if its warm enough.
This particular hive faces the east and no wind from that side here. They dont have the south face side for an entrance as do my other hives which seems to keep them flying on the warmer days.
alpha6
11-27-2008, 02:08 AM
Zane...you sure they are all dead? Sounds like you saw a cluster in the hive between the super and the hive which is normal if it is cold.
riverrat
11-27-2008, 03:12 PM
do you got ventilation on the top cover. It sounds like you might have a condensation problem. If it is in the teens and the cluster gets wet the bees will freeze to death
The bee's where moist/soft but dead. I put them inthe sun on the top lid and no movement. Not a single bee was flying in or out of this hive. and the others had 50 or so flying around thier entrance around once it warmed up. I am using screened bottom boards. Do I need to put a stick and prop the top also?
mike haney
11-27-2008, 05:40 PM
why not just go with top entrances?
riverrat
11-27-2008, 07:18 PM
SBB will not vent condensation. Condensation will form on the top cover since heat rises. You will need to put popsicle sticks or something of similar size under the telescoping cover if you are using one or the top cover if not to vent the moisture out.:thumbsup:
Brent Bean
11-27-2008, 08:36 PM
Was there evidence of starvation? When you dig into the hive see if they had access to food or if many have there heads buried into the comb. It would seem a little early for this unless they were very light going into winter.
Did you practice any mite control? Hives that have high mite loads either tracheal or varroa or both. Can seem healthy in September and crash by December.
Cold weather should not kill honeybees unless they are directly exposed to the elements or in a very bad location, our Canadian brothers are very successful beekeepers so cold should not be the issue.
If there is no evidence of disease like foulbrood you can use any stores to boost a weak hive later in the winter.
brooksbeefarm
11-27-2008, 08:55 PM
Zane,Moist,soft,dead,sounds like condensation to me.I keep sbb on my hives year round.I also have a top entrance under my top feeder.I nail and glue a 3/8in. shim under my top feeder and leave a 2in. wide entrance in the front.I!ve not lost a hive to condensation yet.(been doing this for 8 years).This setup has other uses also,but that!s another post.Sorry for your loss.Jack:(
No I dont think the bee's where starving. Lots of feed in the deep(80lbs or so) and super.
Yes I did treat w/ essential oils for 2 months of feeding. But still had a very smal mite count anyway.
I had robbing as little as 2 weeks ago. Wont a top entrance be an issue for robbing? If not I'll shim up the other hive lids too.
I didnt get into the super since it was a bit too cold I thought. Maybee tomorrow?
riverrat
11-28-2008, 07:02 AM
No I dont think the bee's where starving. Lots of feed in the deep(80lbs or so) and super.
Yes I did treat w/ essential oils for 2 months of feeding. But still had a very smal mite count anyway.
I had robbing as little as 2 weeks ago. Wont a top entrance be an issue for robbing? If not I'll shim up the other hive lids too.
I didnt get into the super since it was a bit too cold I thought. Maybee tomorrow?
If you shim using apenny or a popcicle stick the cap will not be wide enough for bees to get into. If you dont provide ventilation for the other hive it to may end up with a condensation problem.