Can few wasps damage?

[Spikedog]

There has been some discussion about wasps about the Hives at his late time of year. Even though we have had some nights at negative 3.5 deg the wasps are still about and I have just noted two entering and leaving hives at will (7 deg). My question can so few wasps (perhaps season’s stragglers) do much damage? Is it worth reducing entrances etc.???? Your views will inform action. Thanks P

 

[Hivemaker.]

My question can so few wasps (perhaps season’s stragglers) do much damage?

No.

 

[Norfolk]

There has been some discussion about wasps about the Hives at his late time of year. Even though we have had some nights at negative 3.5 deg the wasps are still about and I have just noted two entering and leaving hives at will (7 deg). My question can so few wasps (perhaps season’s stragglers) do much damage? Is it worth reducing entrances etc.???? Your views will inform action. Thanks P

Personally, I would reduce the entrance if the bees are not to busy.

I agree with HM they won't do too much damage in such small numbers.

 

[oliver90owner]

What is the point of reducing the entrance if the bees are clustering? Apart from that, as Hivemaker.

 

[Norfolk]

What is the point of reducing the entrance if the bees are clustering? Apart from that, as Hivemaker.

In case they are not clustering or only doing it for the day.
What's the harm in reducing ?

 

[Torq]

All depends how many there are and the strength of the hive/nuc. I lost a weak nuc to wasps last week and when I was in the shed today cleaning frames the wasps found me!

If you want to see wasps this time of year, check out your local bottle bank.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Till last week I still had a few wasps coming and going at will ,despite reduced entrances.The bees are clustered and there are no guard bees on sentry.

 

[BILL.HEARD]

I agree with HM, this year I think wasps are not now a problem, however I believe Rob Manley indicated that one of his bee farming friends had lost several tons of honey/syrup from wasps late in the season.
A mixture of late viable wasp nests with a short cold snap causing colonies to cluster with no guard bees, wasps will go into the hives to the unguarded outer combs and feed.

 

[Holly Bees]

Ive still got a problem with wasps... And have had a major headache with them all summer!
2 nests within 15ft of hives , chewing through poly hives to get into supers all over fondant at moment etc etc etc its been live and let live this year next year it wont be!
One hive ar one point had about 1/2 a gallon of wasps trying to chew their way through the poly into the supers as well as the scraps at the entrances any words of wisdom would be most welcome!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

any words of wisdom would be most welcome!!

Pobably not wise but I'll share what I have done very successfully.
Get high efficiency traps out before wasp activity starts. (i'm talking about Waspbane here) Nothing gets out of these to report back to the nest.
I put one at each entrance. My traps were phenomenally effective.
They caught a fair number of wasps but fewer than home made bottle traps which attract lots more wasps brought back by those that got away.
I never saw any enter the hives until.........I made a mistake and took them away too early. I had to make a couple of fresh ones up.

This thread http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5818&page=5

from post 42 gets really interesting

 

[BILL.HEARD]

Ive still got a problem with wasps... And have had a major headache with them all summer!
2 nests within 15ft of hives , chewing through poly hives to get into supers all over fondant at moment etc etc etc its been live and let live this year next year it wont be!
One hive ar one point had about 1/2 a gallon of wasps trying to chew their way through the poly into the supers as well as the scraps at the entrances any words of wisdom would be most welcome!!

Looks like your part of the world could get a couple of killing frosts this weekend, lets hope they sort things out for you.

 

[Karol]

Looks like your part of the world could get a couple of killing frosts this weekend, lets hope they sort things out for you.

Not the frost that kills wasps. It's more the lack of food and starvation. Need to be especially vigilant at this time of year as stores in hives can get robbed out very quickly when you're back is turned without the bees being touched then later on what you're left with is lots of dead bees head down in comb with lots of head scratching about why they've starved. :0(

 

[Holly Bees]

Good news...mot many wasps in front of hives today!! However I am going to learn more anout how they behave and communicate for sure for next season!!

 

[Torq]

Fresh wasps swimming in the traps near my hives this afternoon. No guard bees on duty so just as well the traps are there.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Ive still got a problem with wasps... And have had a major headache with them all summer!
2 nests within 15ft of hives , chewing through poly hives to get into supers all over fondant at moment etc etc etc its been live and let live this year next year it wont be!
One hive ar one point had about 1/2 a gallon of wasps trying to chew their way through the poly into the supers as well as the scraps at the entrances any words of wisdom would be most welcome!!

I trust you destroyed the offending nests? Being wasp friendly is all very well but if you are struggling against them dead wasps are "good" wasps.
I hunt them down with a fervour.

 

[Holly Bees]

As well as the extra reading I am goin to try some specific managment stratagies (besides nlowing them up with petrol) for next season... Keep you posted!