It's been a busy fall and I didn't get the mouse guards on. Very important out here, lots of mice.
The bees are clustered and haven't flown in probably a few weeks so I do hesitate disturbing them.
It's cold enough that if I pop the hives open, manipulate enough to know there aren't mice, then re-close- bees are going to fly out and not be able to get back in before they cool and fall to the ground.
Any tips?
Also- the propolis between boxes will be cracked leaving little air spaces the bees worked hard to close up. My boxes are old so this is significant in my opinion. As we get some very windy conditions is it worth duct taping (or another tape?) the seams between supers?
Could you just tip them back and crack loose only the bottom board to check for mice? If they not seen from the bottom they are probably not in the hive.
Well then I'm fresh out of ideas. But what I suggested is about all I would do unless some with alot more experiance than me (almost anyone lol) chime in.
I dont know if ratpoison woud hurt the bees - but if not then you could stick it into the hive through the entrance and then put the mouse guard on ! Just a thought - never done it myself!
What do bees often do with powdery substances that might have a sweet flavor? Put it in the comb as if it were pollen, perhaps? Does pollen often wind up in honey over the course of a season?
Put rat poison in hives. I think now I've heard everything.
I would hesitate putting peanut butter in front of the hive for risk of attracting every mouse in the county to it. If you are using Lang's, take a careful look into the hive through the entrance opening. Look for evidence of a grass nest indicating the presence of a mouse. Also, if you have a solid bottom board, look for mouse "raisins" on it. Lastly, insert a wooden dowel into the entrance using a sweeping motion to clean out anything mouse related. Once satisfied you have no mice, install your mouse guard and hope you did everything you can to get them through the winter.
please dont separate the boxes at this late date you will break the seal and the cluster will lose more heat than normal.
look on the bottom board for evidence as suggested.
As others have said, don't disturb them too much at this point, all I would do is look with a flashlight into the entrance and see if there is any nesting material visible, if not you should be fine I would think. John
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Beesource Beekeeping Forums
1.8M posts
54.8K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to beekeeping, bee owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, honey production, health, behavior, hives, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!