I have an urban beehive, and we have tree trimmers working in our back yard today near the hive. Last night I made a screen for the entry out of 1/8" wire mesh and installed it late last night after the bees were all settled in for the night, and added a flat piece of the same mesh to cover the oval hole in the center of the inner cover. (I also ran a strap around the hive to ensure that nothing would shift if the hive got bumped) This morning I took off the outer cover to expose the screened hole in the inner cover. Much to my surprise, more and more bees have been coming home throughout the morning, and I now have several hundred confused bees on and hovering around the entry trying to figure who messed up their foraging plans with mesh. (I'm surprised that many stayed out last night)
So here's the question:
I'm in the San Francisco bay area (south peninsula), and the weather early this morning was light overcast, currently 63 degrees, rising to a forecast high in the mid 70's. Is this enough ventilation not to worry? They will likely be cooped up until late afternoon, and then I'll put on my bee suit and remove the screens.
First year beekeeper, and the hive has been doing great so far this spring, growing from an overwintered NUC of 8 medium frames a month ago. The hive is currently 3 10 frame mediums, top one 50% drawn (probably another super early next week).
Thanks for any input!
-Knute
So here's the question:
I'm in the San Francisco bay area (south peninsula), and the weather early this morning was light overcast, currently 63 degrees, rising to a forecast high in the mid 70's. Is this enough ventilation not to worry? They will likely be cooped up until late afternoon, and then I'll put on my bee suit and remove the screens.
First year beekeeper, and the hive has been doing great so far this spring, growing from an overwintered NUC of 8 medium frames a month ago. The hive is currently 3 10 frame mediums, top one 50% drawn (probably another super early next week).
Thanks for any input!
-Knute