After rain dead bees

[bjosephd]

Mountain of dead bees after rain out front.

Is this/can this be 'normal'?

 

[bjosephd]

Might slow down their potential swarming preps... but death of a ton of flying bees is not my preferred method of swarm control.

 

[Brigsy]

Maybe a picture?

 

[bjosephd]

 

[drex]

Not Normal in my experience, just after rain. Spray poisoning, disease?

 

[bjosephd]

Yeah scary. This does have a solid wood floor and has been known when wind is in wrong direction to blow water to creat a pond in the bottom... even though it is tilted forward. It's just never been this bad.

They always seemed like a super healthy super calm happy hive

 

[beeboybee]

similar for me - first time, 1 one hive out of 5, south Somerset

 

[bjosephd]

Yup. Different hive directions here. Some underfloor entrances, some more sheltered. This one i think had an unlucky combo.

Gosh. As soon as you think you're getting the hang of it... dead bees and sheep attacks!!

 

[george]

Is there a small restricted entrance that possibly slowed their ingress and they all got caught outside and chilled ?
I can't expand the picture without it blurring , are they all soaked ? Or does it look like they have been dragged out dead from inside the hive ?

 

[Bee Bumble]

Looks unusual - was it a sudden deluge?

Good title for a film though, perhaps in French:
Après les abeilles mortes par la pluie

 

[bjosephd]

I'll put up a full size picture.

No not small, but certainly not the easiest landing pad I don't think in torrential rain.

The blue cover in theory was meant to shield the landing board from rain (taken off in the first picture)

I painted it blue to match the queens mark.

Like that really helps!

 

[bjosephd]

Looks unusual - was it a sudden deluge?



Good title for a film though, perhaps in French:

Après les abeilles mortes par la pluie

Ha. Well it is close to a famous saying...

"Après moi, le déluge."

Or even a book we once sold when I worked in Waterstones...

 

[colinc]

Not in same numbers as that but my hives are on stands on block paving behind a shed and although sheltered by a high hedge, we must get vortices of wind. The first time I noticed it there was a pile of bees all in one spot not near a hive entrance but if the wind had pushed them under a hive instead it would look like a hive issue. Think too many in your case for that but something to bear in mind.


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[Hivemaker.]

Cbpv.

....or maybe a swarm or other bees have tried to enter the hive.

 

[bjosephd]

Cbpv.

Well indeed.

Just seems unlikely is all (aside from the dead bee evidence!)

What brings it on?

Big healthy hive drawing comb and bringing in honey happily, loads of space, no overcrowding... then boom a load of rain and a ton of dead bees.

But I can't argue that the evidence is somewhat damning re cbpv.

Why so sudden. Need to get in and have a look. At least it might put a stopper to any swarm plans they might have been making. Pretty crappy silver lining though!

HiveMaker... are your queens ready?

BJD

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Cbpv.

....or maybe a swarm or other bees have tried to enter the hive.

I'd go with CBPV as a distinct possibility. The OP will HAVE to check whats on the floor inside but there's a high likelihood of a thick carpet of dead bees. Hopefully dry and easy to pull a sample for better examination.
Two years ago I'd never heard of CBPV, now it's being seen sporadically. I wonder if it's morphing into a more vigorous strain or just identified instead of blaming spray poisoning?

 

[bjosephd]

I'd go with CBPV as a distinct possibility. The OP will HAVE to check whats on the floor inside but there's a high likelihood of a thick carpet of dead bees. Hopefully dry and easy to pull a sample for better examination.

Two years ago I'd never heard of CBPV, now it's being seen sporadically. I wonder if it's morphing into a more vigorous strain or just identified instead of blaming spray poisoning?

I will get up close and see if there is said 'carpet'.

My prediction is not however.

I'd predict a big puddle.

But what's to he done about cbpv?

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?

 

[Millet]

Do you have any neighbors that could have been spraying there garden plants to get rid of aphids, also if you have had several nice days the farmers may well be spraying the Oil Seed Rape fields,, i hope you get to the bottom of it as i would be worried if i come across such a sight.

 

[bjosephd]

Do you have any neighbors that could have been spraying there garden plants to get rid of aphids, also if you have had several nice days the farmers may well be spraying the Oil Seed Rape fields,, i hope you get to the bottom of it as i would be worried if i come across such a sight.

Well this hive today is flying strongly in the pitta pattering of rain.

I wonder if they actually swarmed on a rainy day and then decided against it and all piled back in when the torrents came and carnage ensued.

I could really donwith getting in at least to stop any swarm plans, but I'm worried about the sheep situation now! Ha. Although it's not the grumpy hive. Although on a rainy day they might be!

 

[bjosephd]

And rain rain rain for 3 days. Thursday could be a messy swarmy day!

Maybe I just gotta get in in the rain anyway! Damn it!