Do dead bees attract trouble?

[Mamahilz]

This is my first winter. As the temperature has risen, my girls are very active and clearing the dead. There must be 200+ in front of the hive. I've been amazed to see some strong bees carrying some of the dead up and away from the garden altogether. Should I give them a hand and clear the dead away from the front of the hive? Could they attract woodpeckers for example?

 

[Silly Bee]

I sweep all the dead bees from around my hives as a matter course. Just good housekeeping IMO.

 

[MuswellMetro]

I've been amazed to see some strong bees carrying some of the dead up and away from the garden altogether.

think that bee is trying to tell you something

i sweep them up and put them on my bird table at home ( that's about 4 miles away from the hives) so reduce disease transfer

i try not to leave any bee product exposed in the apiary ( syrup containers, dead bees, wax scapings ) i

 

[Finman]

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You cannot sweep dead bees all the time. Nonsence. Dead bees are everywhere on ground and you cannot find them.

When bees carry much head bees out of entrance, I put compost over bodies.

In summer every day in every hive they will loose 1000 bees. Before dark you go and sweep them, really?

.

 

[Bad Boy Bee]

I went round my hives yesterday removing the various mouseguards and using a thin stick (5mm) wide, swept the dead bees from each one. I also hefted my hives and those that seemed a little light, I added fondant to and then replaced the guards.

The problems with giving advice without a proper visit or knowledge of the beekeepers experience, hive type, location and bee type from beekeepers with varying degrees of experience, will be confusion. Advice should come with a warning label:

Ask three beekeepers advice and you may end up with five answers - stick to Hooper and learn the rest from your friends, association and your own observations. One day many years in the future you may become a competent beekeeper.

 

[borderer]

I try give the bees a bit of help by cleaning dead bees off the landing boards and making sure the entrance is clear. I also sweep bees off the concrete slab infront of each hive, otherwise it is down to nature. I agree that it is important to remove old wax etc

 

[Erichalfbee]

The birds see to the dead bees.
Two days ago I had a look at the hives in the morning and there were about 50 dead bees under one, one hour later they were all gone.

I went round my hives yesterday removing the various mouseguards and using a thin stick (5mm) wide, swept the dead bees from each one.

I tried that and they came out en masse to eat me. I had to run away at speed as I wasn't suited up. Never again!!!

 

[Finman]

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My hives are 100 miles far away.
Now they are under snow.

If some bees flye out, great tits will eate them (that name is not my fault)

Every winter I have 10-20 tits on my cottage yard. I like tits

 

[Finman]

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http://www.nikulainen.net/pontto/

Tit in the web cam. The bee cleaner


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[Silly Bee]

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You cannot sweep dead bees all the time. Nonsence. Dead bees are everywhere on ground and you cannot find them.

When bees carry much head bees out of entrance, I put compost over bodies.

In summer every day in every hive they will loose 1000 bees. Before dark you go and sweep them, really?

.

The area around my hives is paved, I visit the hive most days since they are on my alottment, so yes, I sweep the area most days.

 

[tonybloke]

a hedgehog clears up under my hives in the summer, great tits do the job in the winter (that's not a nick-name for the OH, BTW)

 

[freethorpe bees]

No - that's blue tits - specially in the sub zero temps we've been having!!!

 

[TBRNoTB]

.
My hives are 100 miles far away.
Now they are under snow.

If some bees flye out, great tits will eate them (that name is not my fault)

Every winter I have 10-20 tits on my cottage yard. I like tits

Don't we all!