can i look inside?

[Dookie]

Hi

Im new to this so i need some advice.

I want to know if the bees have survived the winter, can i open the box to have a look inside or will this cause them to get cold and die/fly away.

The temp is around 7 - 10 oC

thanks


Richard

 

[peteinwilts]

ask yourself the question "why"?

 

[Dadnlad]

Nope leave them alone, you'll do more harm than good

Watch the entrance on a sunny lunchtime or stick your ear to the side of the hive and listen

Read a beekeeping book instead if you're bored

Sometime this year buy them a clear polycarbonate crownboard so you can reassure yourself without disturbing them

 

[peteinwilts]

If the bees are dead, you will know soon enough as they will not be flying on warm days.

If you open them up for a look, you will do more harm than good.

Wait until softie T-Shirt weather (15°)

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Hi

I want to know if the bees have survived the winter,

Wait until winter is over first then.
Opening up now will do a lot more harm than good. If you are concerned they may be short of food then put a lump of fondant in a plastic takeaway carton, uncover one of the feeder holes in the crown board and upend it over so the bees can access it if needed (the few seconds you do this may also tell you - but not definitely whether the bees are still OK) surround the carton with an empty super full of insulating material or with a block of Kingspan insulation.
If you're really eager to check the bees' welfare buy yourself a cheapo stethoscope off fleabay and have a listen at the hive walls.

What I tend to do is, when I have the urge to check the bees, put on the kettle, make myself a cup of tea, and open a good book

 

[alldigging]

Hi

Im new to this so i need some advice.

I want to know if the bees have survived the winter, can i open the box to have a look inside or will this cause them to get cold and die/fly away.

The temp is around 7 - 10 oC

thanks


Richard

Put your inspection board in for a couple of days. Take a photo of what's on it and have a think about it over a cup of tea.

Post the picture on here and we'll all have a look and see what you think is happening.

PS: pale cappings usually honey, darker usually brood.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Agree with everybody
Ear to the side of the hive will tell you if they are alive
Inspection tray full of cappings too.
Do not consider youtube offerings of opening hives in February as sensible advice.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Do not consider youtube offerings of opening hives in February as sensible advice.

Best bit of advice so far!!

 

[user 6228]

Hi

Im new to this so i need some advice.

I want to know if the bees have survived the winter, can i open the box to have a look inside or will this cause them to get cold and die/fly away.

The temp is around 7 - 10 oC

thanks


Richard

Welcome to the hardest part of beekeeping

i.e. Waiting for spring to arrive properly. i.e a run of a few days with a max temp above 15C.
15C.

 

[Fatbee]

And make the most of the spare time on your hands - once spring comes you will be busy! I'm a rare beekeeper in that I'm never in rush for season to commence because I know how manic it gets with all the other pressures on my time!

 

[For want of a better word]

Someone on BBC Radio Cornwall said today was the meteorological first day of Spring...
so have your nine day full inspection plans underway?

Yeghes da

 

[madasafish]

If you want to know if your bees are alive, wait for a warm day and look at 12am -2pm.
They will fly then..

Alternatively, you could crack open the crown board and have a quick look but you may see nothing or the bees may fly up and settle on you etc..

I do the "watch and see".. routine. I also heft the hives to see if they have any stores. If you don't know how to do that, google it on this site: lots of articles..

 

[BeeJayBee]

It's too cold Dookie, leave them alone for another few weeks until both days and nights are warm enough for them to recover quickly.

In the meantime why not download a copy of "At the Hive Entrance" by Storch. It'll help you know what's going on
https://archive.org/details/AtTheHiveEntrance

 

[Arfermo]

Agree with everybody
Ear to the side of the hive will tell you if they are alive
Inspection tray full of cappings too.
Do not consider youtube offerings of opening hives in February as sensible advice.

You don't need an inspection tray to see removed capping of the stored honey if the hive is on a concrete base as any removed cappings will fall through the OMF onto the ground below. I rarely bother with the trays even in the coldest of weather and I don't lose colonies either. Fresh air is as good for them as it is for you!!

 

[Karsal]

Opening Hive Early

I usually pop my ear against the side of the hive and have a listen this time of year. If you find this a little hard to do.
Then get yourself a cheap stethoscope off Fleabay and have a listen. I've just bought one and it's amazing.
Frosty morning and no sign of anything coming from the hive. Pop the stethoscope on the side and listen to the buzzing inside the hive. No need to open at all.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Fresh air is as good for them as it is for you!!

I've always though that as I sit here in the corridor with both front and back doors open during a Nor Easterly considering whether to put my shirt on or not

 

[Davelin]

Someone on BBC Radio Cornwall said today was the meteorological first day of Spring...
so have your nine day full inspection plans underway?

Yeghes da

They also told us snow was on the way!
Sounds about right, back in December they called it winter and the temperature hit the high teens....

 

[Poly Hive]

15C here today.

On average though still too chilly to be poking about in the boxes.

Patience..

PH

 

[birdsandbees]

As a second year novice myself I can appreciate the frustration and building excitement at the season ahead but as the other wise experienced folk say, you must resist!
I know mine are 'currently' okay as when the temperature hits 10 degrees plus the bees are out, mine are also all bringing in pollen which would indicate brood rearing and that the bees are starting to get ready for spring themselves.
Just keep an eye on the weight of your hives and feed if necessary.

 

[Dookie]

ok so i wont look inside but i have bought a little snake camera so i can look inside with out opening it up. I just want to make sure they are there