After rain dead bees

[Anduril]

Just a thought, have you got a gazebo you could put over the hive to check them. Swansea beekeepers use one with netting inside for event days for members of the public to get a feel of beekeeping.

 

[maddydog]

They had a ton of space. Or just a too prolific hive to be locked in by rain for a day so got overcrowded and cvbp spread instantly?

Too much space or too crowded? I'm confused?

I'm with Hivemaker, looks like CBPV or a swarm (from one of your other hives perhaps?) that was refused entry.
Bees are neither as stupid or as soft as many people believe. A steep learning curve for you so good luck.

 

[bjosephd]

Too much space or too crowded? I'm confused?

I'm with Hivemaker, looks like CBPV or a swarm (from one of your other hives perhaps?) that was refused entry.
Bees are neither as stupid or as soft as many people believe. A steep learning curve for you so good luck.

Sorry, indeed I am not being very clear.

What I mean is they appeared to have plenty of space, 3 brood boxes' worth. And they still seemed to have frames to draw out and fill with honey in the top box, that admittedly they were doing at a surprising rate.

However, maybe they didn't have as much space as I thought, especially once they were all confined to quarters.

All this rain not helping... although I am currently mowing grass for a living... so at least all the grass is growing again!

 

[Brigsy]

I had this including a carpet of dead bees in both my colonies August last year. Just a one off thing which I suspect was poisoning. Both recovered. Check inside when you can as mine was only a day and it had already started getting decomposed. Stinky.

 

[bjosephd]

I had this including a carpet of dead bees in both my colonies August last year. Just a one off thing which I suspect was poisoning. Both recovered. Check inside when you can as mine was only a day and it had already started getting decomposed. Stinky.

snap


How did the colonies fair after?

 

[Brigsy]

Fine, thankfully.

 

[bjosephd]

The plot thickens...

So the rain has finally abated and the bees are very much out of the house for some reason... but don't appear to be house keeping (certainly not in any serious way).

...and a few feet to the side of the hive... a dead bird??!!

It's like a bloody murder mystery...

And to top it off... a big fat queeny wasp munching on dead bees!

 

[theeggman]

Really for your loss but please keep us informed of developments as we can all learn from your misfortune, not that it's going to help you. Again.

 

[bjosephd]

Really for your loss but please keep us informed of developments as we can all learn from your misfortune, not that it's going to help you. Again.

Thanks.

I have a feeling that the hive is probably doing ok in there. The pile doesn't seem to be getting bigger at least.

 

[colinc]

But who killed the Blackbird?


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[colinc]

I'm waiting for the next episode on the edge of my seat. Make sure you leave an expected time of return with a family member and carry a big stick.


Seriously, I hope the hive pulls through.


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[Millet]

But who killed the Blackbird?


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I Agree why the dead Black bird Cock, bees would not kill that fellow and he will not be eating bees, Strange. ?

 

[bjosephd]

It's all a bit weird isn't it.

Couldn't see what killed the bird. Haven't looked super closely though.

 

[Bee Bumble]

A cat probably killed the Blackbird while it was collecting dead bees for his brood.

 

[Softley]

Hello

I had CBPV a few years ago in a couple of colonies. It doesn't come on like that overnight. If it was CBPV then alot of the dead bees would be black and shiny with very little hair - I don't think your first photos show that. You'd notice bees dying around the frame lugs and bees that are so lethargic they don't move down when smoked. They tremble, crawl about slowly and generally don't look right. They die off inside the hive and are dragged out by the other bees, hence dead bees on the floor and outside the entrance.


You have a picture there of bees bearding on the front of the hive. It may be that they were bearding when the heavens opened and they got wet, cold and died. It could be that they're needing more ventilation - you say they're on a solid floor, an OMF would be better for ventilation (and mite control).

If they are fine now I would definetly rule out CBPV. Still can't rule out poisoning. I don't suppose you took samples?

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[bjosephd]

Hello

I had CBPV a few years ago in a couple of colonies. It doesn't come on like that overnight. If it was CBPV then alot of the dead bees would be black and shiny with very little hair - I don't think your first photos show that. You'd notice bees dying around the frame lugs and bees that are so lethargic they don't move down when smoked. They tremble, crawl about slowly and generally don't look right. They die off inside the hive and are dragged out by the other bees, hence dead bees on the floor and outside the entrance.


You have a picture there of bees bearding on the front of the hive. It may be that they were bearding when the heavens opened and they got wet, cold and died. It could be that they're needing more ventilation - you say they're on a solid floor, an OMF would be better for ventilation (and mite control).

If they are fine now I would definetly rule out CBPV. Still can't rule out poisoning. I don't suppose you took samples?

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This is the one that makes most sense to me... maybe in the humidity, lack of ventilation, and trying to ripen a ton of nectar and nobody had gone out foraging for the day with temeratures still high in the day (so unlike cool night time when foragers had returned).

Bees on inspection today seem calm and friendly and busy as usual... nobody seemed ill and the I could still see the white of the solid floor looking down through the boxes - dirty yes, but certainly no carpet of bees.