PhilG
New Bee
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2010
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Newport, Shropshire
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 14
Having just returned to beekeeping after a 40 year gap. I am now doing what my father did for me when I was 14 - 15 years old and introducing my two sons to beekeeping. We have a small national hive (obtained from a local beekeeper) which at present comprises of just a brood chamber with a 2010 queen and a small colony of bees which we have been feeding with syrup over the last month. My sons and I have notice a strange thing, twice over the last month.
After a day or so when the weather and sun has been out and the bees have been flying, we have noticed about 20 to 30 bees dead or dying on the grass in front of the hive. Most of these bees are young worker bees with full pollen sacs. Those that are still alive on the grass seem dopey. I asked our local beekeeper and he himself was rather astounded but though perhaps they had got cold or as the hive lacks a landing strip they may have fallen off or landed on the cold grass.
Can anyone give me some ideas what the problem could be?
After a day or so when the weather and sun has been out and the bees have been flying, we have noticed about 20 to 30 bees dead or dying on the grass in front of the hive. Most of these bees are young worker bees with full pollen sacs. Those that are still alive on the grass seem dopey. I asked our local beekeeper and he himself was rather astounded but though perhaps they had got cold or as the hive lacks a landing strip they may have fallen off or landed on the cold grass.
Can anyone give me some ideas what the problem could be?