Chewed Foundation - Mice?

[BernardBlack]

Spotted what looked like chewed foundation, along both sides of the wire. Maybe 3 inches in two places, and a little just under the top of frame.

Mice maybe? I thought maybe it was too early for them?

Hive entrance was reduced to 1 inch in recent weeks. Although the entrance block was protruding outwards slightly upon arrival.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Spotted what looked like chewed foundation, along both sides of the wire. Maybe 3 inches in two places, and a little just under the top of frame.

Mice maybe? I thought maybe it was too early for them?

Hive entrance was reduced to 1 inch in recent weeks. Although the entrance block was protruding outwards slightly upon arrival.

My bees do that

 

[Millet]

So do mine..

 

[BernardBlack]

Hmm, any reason for that?

 

[Curly green fingers]

I've wondered , do they use the wax else where ,

 

[masterBK]

Perhaps they are in to modern art and simply expressing themselves

 

[Millet]

There is several reasons mentioned.. one being cheap Chinese wax which is dog fart.. i have used Ts /M.M/ Abelo and stuff of ebay and no matter what i use it happens.. the bees like to decorate there home accordingly so just accept it

 

[Millet]

Perhaps they are in to modern art and simply expressing themselves

Like..

 

[BernardBlack]

There is several reasons mentioned.. one being cheap Chinese wax which is dog fart.. i have used Ts /M.M/ Abelo and stuff of ebay and no matter what i use it happens.. the bees like to decorate there home accordingly so just accept it

Fair enough. I'd prefer that than mice.

 

[BernardBlack]

On the subject of mouse guards, when is the ideal time to fit them?

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s thought that bees do that if there aren’t enough to cover the frame and the wax may be used elsewhere. My bees chew wax away from the bottoms of the frames at the corners, just where you would expect low bee coverage. I do see wax chewed away round wires sometimes and it’s invariably on the outside frames

 

[Curly green fingers]

Like..

you never know there could be a pacaso amoung them.

 

[Millet]

On the subject of mouse guards, when is the ideal time to fit them?

I don't need them silly thing's...under floor entrances or my tunnel entrances are on all through the seasons.. Spring/Summer and winter... not a mouse or waps can penetrate this set up (tunnel entrance mainly).

 

[drex]

On the subject of mouse guards, when is the ideal time to fit them?

I would put them on with the first frost, when the mice will be seeking some shelter .

 

[Wingy]

On the subject of mouse guards, when is the ideal time to fit them?

Before the mice get in. Sorry couldn’t resist

 

[Ian123]

Older foundation is the normal reason for bees chewing it

 

[Ian123]

If the foundation is old pass a hairdryer over each sheet untill you get that wet look/slightly transparent......this draws fresh oils in the wax out and makes it more appealing.I found a dozen packs about 8yrs old tucked away this season that needed a freshen up