Dead bees blocking up hive entrance

[mxr618]

It warmed up out here in Chicago -- into the 40's -- so I checked the hive. There is a blockage of dead bees in the smaller hive opening.

I use a top bar hive with a window -- dropped the window for less than two seconds and looked at them. They're pretty mobile. The population is way down but that's to be expected.

So here's my question: should I give the girls a hand and unblock the entrance or are they using the dead bees as insulation?

[Marc]

I would remove them. Dead bees turn moldy. Plus, you want ventilation so the moisture in the hive can get out. Also, should you get a really mild day (50's) then your bees want to get out and relive themselves. Best not to have the entrance blocked. I checked my hives today, and as always I am a little alarmed about the number of dead bees out front. But, as long as they are out front, that's a good sign, as there are enough bees left to drag them out.

Btw, I am looking to start my first TBH this spring, been reading about it a lot and finally settled on a design and size. How long have you had yours? Maybe that's a topic for another thread... lol.

[mxr618]

Ok, I unblocked the entrance. There are a significant amount of dead bees inside the hive...not quite a carpet but not just a handful. I don't know any better as this is my hive's first winter.

There is some comb that was built flat on the bottom of the hive that looks grey, possibly with some spores on it?

There is also moisture clinging to the sides of the hive. There are places where the window is fogged up.

From the front of the hive, I've got about 14 to 16 inches of comb with bees on them. the remaining 18 inches is barren except for a few dead bees.

I'll be switching to langs next year but will keep a TBH.

Let me tell you this...if you can build a TBH in your yard there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- like wandering to the hive in the evening and dropping the window and looking in on the girls after I've had a bad day at the office. A friend who got me into keeping told me it's like Zen. I didn't believe him until last May.

[brooksbeefarm]

I don!t know much about TBH but from what you discribed it sounds like condensation is killing your bees.I would top ventilate.Good luck Jack

[France]

To me it looks like you got condensation problems in your hive.
Some kind of top entrance or at least some kind of opening is a must to let out the moisture from food burning and bee-breath.
A piece of Styrofoam on top of the hive would be a good idea. One has to prevent the contact of warm air with cold surface - that is where condensation forms and friezes and/or melts and drips on bees.
On top of this put a brick or a rock or two to keep things in place. . . .

[kevinva]

I wouldn't use styrafoam, this will add to your problem. Styrafoam won't breath. You need a moisture board at the top. Carpenter's call this stuff Buffalo Board. If you go to Menard's, Home Depot or Lowe's just ask them for it. It will come in a sheet 8' x 4' and it's black on one side. Cut with a carpenters knife. Put this underneath your expanding top cover. When you put your top on, keep one corner off and hold it on with a rock or brick. THis will allow proper ventilation.

The other thing you should do is flip your entrance reducer over. You probably are stuck this year. THis allows dead bees to fall to the bottom without worrying about blocking the entrance. It also helps prevent mice from getting in and making a mess of things.

Hope this helps.