Bees too hot?

[DianeJones]

Hello, can bees get too hot?

My hive is in direct sunlight, I have a reduced entrance (they're a small colony building up nicely), and the varroa floor is on as I am doing a varroa count this week.

Would it be best to open the entrance up and remove the varroa floor to give them some 'air'?

Thanks
Diane

 

[northernsoul]

Given that it's not robbing season I would get rid of the entrance block.

I would also make sure the feed holes on the crown board are not covered. I'm not sure the floor makes any difference to the ventilation as its a flow of air through the entrance and up to the feed holes you're after.

I wouldn't worry too much though

 

[rae]

It probably is possible for them to over heat, but I've seen lots of very healthy hives on hillsides in southern Spain, baking in the sun - they seemed fine. Remember that they are evaporating a lot of nectar at the moment, so this will be cooling them.

On OMFs - well, 10 years ago, all floors were solid, and the bees seemed to get along fine (apart from the varroa...)

 

[davethegas]

According to Cramps book, "side of a volcano or side of an iceberg, bees will maintain the same hive temperature". Before you all pile in, his words not mine. (Lol)

 

[Mosquito]

I have a metal top on my beehives.
So I put a baking tray on top and fill it with water.
The Baking tray has with wire mesh on top.

 

[davethegas]

Rae

Might bee wrong but I think the Spanish and other hot climates paint hive roofs white to reflect heat, same as they do to buildings.

 

[thurrock bees]

Given that it's not robbing season I would get rid of the entrance block.

i beg to differ. i lost a nuc. it was killed off my other bees within two days

 

[rae]

Might bee wrong but I think the Spanish and other hot climates paint hive roofs white to reflect heat, same as they do to buildings.

I didn't notice them being white, but that could have been my lack of observation. Most hives in the UK have reflective metal roofs...which would have a similar effect.

 

[rowbow]

You can also try Thornes thermal quilt silver side up in the summer.
John

 

[andypigeon]

i dont know about bees beeing hot but i know a beek that is in that bee suit

 

[Onge]

i beg to differ. i lost a nuc. it was killed off my other bees within two days

I agree I've had 2 three frame nucs robbed out recently.

 

[dudley]

I have a metal top on my beehives.
So I put a baking tray on top and fill it with water.
The Baking tray has with wire mesh on top.

Probably not as affective as solar tubes, but I may give it a go. And a pain carrying a tray of hot water from the hive across my long grass to the house and my bath though.

 

[Poly Hive]

There are recorded cases of hives involved in fires where the exterior is heavily charred yet inside the colony is fine.

They can cope with extremes of heat.

PH