Today I discovered that a hive-stand and two hives did a face plant in the severe windstorm that Michigan suffered last week.
One hive was separated in four sections on the ground (two 10 frame deeps, a bottom board, and the telescoping lid with inner cover.)
The other hive was mostly intact, it was on its side, but the inner cover and cover were off.
I was sick about this and I had no hopes that the bees were still alive. It's been bitter cold at night since that storm, warming into the 30s and 40s during most of the days. I picked up some of the scattered pieces of hive one and found a few bees eating on the honey stores. When I tried righting hive number two though, the bottom board shifted and all hell broke loose! That colony was alive and well! They streamed out of there enmasse and decided to take their aggression out on the guy that was trying to save them!
My mood had changed dramatically, even though I was getting nailed left and right.
I left quickly, but came back about 1/2 hour later with a suit and righted them.
Hive number one MIGHT have a cluster in there - I didn't look. They're probably goners but I can hope!
I'm very happy that the other hive was strong.
With as heavy as these hives were, I never dreamt that the wind would take them down.
I need to make sure that this never happens again!
One hive was separated in four sections on the ground (two 10 frame deeps, a bottom board, and the telescoping lid with inner cover.)
The other hive was mostly intact, it was on its side, but the inner cover and cover were off.
I was sick about this and I had no hopes that the bees were still alive. It's been bitter cold at night since that storm, warming into the 30s and 40s during most of the days. I picked up some of the scattered pieces of hive one and found a few bees eating on the honey stores. When I tried righting hive number two though, the bottom board shifted and all hell broke loose! That colony was alive and well! They streamed out of there enmasse and decided to take their aggression out on the guy that was trying to save them!
My mood had changed dramatically, even though I was getting nailed left and right.
I left quickly, but came back about 1/2 hour later with a suit and righted them.
Hive number one MIGHT have a cluster in there - I didn't look. They're probably goners but I can hope!
I'm very happy that the other hive was strong.
With as heavy as these hives were, I never dreamt that the wind would take them down.
I need to make sure that this never happens again!