And we shall have snow!

[Heather]

I have done the same with apparently dead bees too- sad aren't we- hope Finman not reading this - will drive him to drink! The mad Brits

But knocks on head the bees in front of hive being corpses thrown out. Unless they are called Lazarus

 

[Finman]

.
OH BOY!

20 dead bees on snow
100 days
= 2000 bees

your hive has 20 000 - 30 000 bees in winter

10% loss in cluster . It is really well wintered then.

Normal hive losses are about 15% . You need let only a normal cry.

 

[daveq]

Reading the comments regarding blocking/covering the entrance to stop the light reflecting off the snow and luring the bees out.
If you have a mesh floor should this be closed.
As light would reflect up into the hive.

 

[Finman]

.
idea from nothing! And it swells and it swells.....

AS I WROTE, BEES COME OUT EVEN IN TOTAL DARKNESS.

Is it polarized infrared beams or what

GRASY GANG!

 

[oliver90owner]

If you have a mesh floor should this be closed.
As light would reflect up into the hive.

No more than the entrance. See post #18.

Sensible beeks will ***** if the light is likely a problem. If the Sun were to be too low in the sky, and the hive shadowed, why bother or if the hive is standing close to the ground. Parking something temporary to intercept reflections at entrance height is likely sufficient in most instances.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Surely the sensible option is just to shade the entrance at all times (during winter) rather than run out in your dressing gown at the first sight of a few flakes.

 

[victor meldrew]

Surely the sensible option is just to shade the entrance at all times (during winter) rather than run out in your dressing gown at the first sight of a few flakes.

Best thing is to leave entirely alone
Why keep inventing problems to solve?
VM

 

[Finman]

.
The sun is a problem now in beekeeping. That is first time I hear that.

OLIVER, WHERE HELL YOU GET THOSE IDEAS !!! GO TO SLEEP!!! From Heather or do you really invent them yourself!

If that is true that bees come out on snow when sun is shining, we should have in Finland empty hives in April.

shut the entrances that bees cannot come out. In Finland it is recommended to open entrances that bees may fy out and in.

 

[oliver90owner]

Finman,

As usual we have different snow to you.

Often it can be quite warm compared to your hive temperatures. The cluster is not so tight. Some on here have found bees spattering the snow under certain conditions. I am sure -20 with a clear sky is not unusual where you live. Often here it is +5, or more, in the sun with melting snow.

The average temperatures in the UK (some parts?) stayed under zero for about 4 weeks last year, but that was simply due to the low night temps of around -12 and lower. Day temperatures were not that cold. Most colonies will not be subjected to strong reflected rays and many will be sheltered (shaded) from direct afternoon sunlight.

The losses can be significant if the colony is marginal, but not for a strong colony, as far as survival is concerned. Slightly slower spring build-up will be an obvious outcome (but not easily quantified) and may not be that important.

I don't have a problem with the colonies in my garden. The sun is too low in the sky to bother them - unless we get snow late in the winter, maybe.

So, overall not a big problem for most, when they think about it. It is just a problem for those that worry about any snow falling in the UK and a very few with marginal colonies in direct sunlight at the wrong time.

Remember the whole road system collapses at the first sign of snow over here. Whole comunities are sometimes cut off for a couple of days and will be in panic mode (well the press reports make that to be the case).

Me? I couldn't care a jot what happens! Nothing really long lasting since 1963.

RAB

 

[Swarm]

Best thing is to leave entirely alone
Why keep inventing problems to solve?
VM

I'm a firm believer of meddling as little as possible. Last two winters temperatures (in these parts at least) were flippin' raw and the bees did their own thing, I was surprised at how fast they built up.

 

[drstitson]

"Last two winters temperatures (in these parts at least) were flippin' raw and the bees did their own thing, I was surprised at how fast they built up."

Like other aspects of agriculture - cold winters good for wiping out nasties.

BBKA and FERA winter losses surveys both show significantly decreased losses for last 2 winters relative to 3 years ago (mild one). This must be down to the cold - although maybe good advice from the forum may help further - we'll see.

Finman - this is the sort of conditions i was referring to originally. The road had already been ploughed once during the snowfall. snow was shoulder deep at home up the hill.

 

[Finman]

Finman,

As usual we have different snow to you.


RAB

difficult to believe RAB!

We ought to have a international slalom competition in Finland after 2 weeks but we have not a bit snow here.

 

[Onge]

I love snow. did I meation that before.

 

[drstitson]

"I love snow. did I mention that before. "

me too. skiing to the shops is great fun. trudging back with a bag full of cat food isn't.

 

[Onge]

Hehe.

 

[For want of a better word]

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH the next ICE AGE is coming !!!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Must be the global warming better start the hand wringing - or is it waving?