Apiary hygiene - dead bees

[MandF]

Anyone have any thoughts on whether we should be routinely clearing away the dead bees from in front of our hives?

In summer the wasps do a good job of keeping the area clean, and I have seen a few of my bees on cleaning duty outside the hive... looking around for carcases and trying to move them away.

So, should we be doing the same during winter?

 

[Finman]

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There is a some kind of heap of dead bees in front of the hives and often bees suck drinking water fron the soil.

I put a dirty compost layer over the bodies.

 

[MandF]

ok, I will turn over the soil in front of the hive - was intending to do this, I just wondered if others did the same?

 

[Gardenbees]

I sweep dead bees and other bits off the edge of the decking... they land in a grotty, weedy patch to one side which the bees don't go into, and are cleared up by beetles and slugs as far as I can tell.

When I had bees on concrete slabs in an out-apiary (not actually mine, but I did keep an eye on them), I used to sweep up the casualties occasionally and take them away, throwing the dustpan contents onto a compost heap on the other side of the field.

I'm not sure if it makes much difference really; but I assume that most wild or feral bees would not have this problem as they would be high up, and dead throw-outs would land on the ground some distance from the hive. In any case, it looks depressing having heaps of corpses next to the hive... the bees seem to spend a lot of time keeping their home tidy, so I feel the apiary should be, too.

 

[MJBee]

Here Bluetits and great **** clean up the casualties in the winter - they have more sense and keep away when the hives are active

 

[Alleree]

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I've watched a blackbird having a good meal on my casualties. It was interesting on the warm day last week watching the housekeepers hauling the dead bodies throught the mouseguard.

 

[Arfermo]

Fortunately my garden hives are on a concrete slab which enables me to hose off after inspections, particularly if I've spilt syrup. I try to never allow dead bees to lie around whatever the circs as you never know what the cause is.

 

[madasafish]

Worrying about dead bees and clearing them up is not on my agenda..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

ok, I will turn over the soil in front of the hive - was intending to do this, I just wondered if others did the same?

Hmm - another can of worms! EU regulations ban on-site burials of livestock so are bees livestock or are they truly wild!! (Kevlar jacket on in preparation)

 

[Winker]

Here Bluetits and great **** clean up the casualties in the winter - they have more sense and keep away when the hives are active

I have a great *** that cleans my garden too, but the father inlaw hates it when i call him a ***, so we just call him the hired help.

 

[Finman]

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Have you noticed that bees carry dead ones some metres with wings and then drop them down. Don't say that you clean dead hives.

 

[iand]

Hmm - another can of worms! EU regulations ban on-site burials of livestock so are bees livestock or are they truly wild!! (Kevlar jacket on in preparation)

Never thought about that one!

Beek"Yes Mr Fellmonger thats right can you call ASAP we have 6 to pick up"

Fellmonger "just I know which truck to bring 6 what?"

Beek "Why bees of course"

Fellmonger "?"!%$*?$£"+"! off"

lol

 

[iand]

don't forget the paperwork either

 

[gavin]

Can't see Murray doing the paperwork for this one

I see that the Scottish regulations intended to have a derogation for maggots and worms for fishing, but bees must still be on the list ....

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/08/19161058/3

Could be the end of beekeeping as we know it

G.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

don't forget the paperwork either

It's collecting all the ear tags I worry about - should bees be double tagged? and what if one is missing?