A good idea, Cazza, but not entirely necessary, just another means of non-disruptive observation, non-intrusive and, depending h quality of the device, gives good feed-back to the listener as to whether the colony is still alive, and perhaps a bit temperature dependent too.
There is a whole range of non-disruptive actions right up to plainly stupid things to do to a colony in winter recess, viz:
1) Nothing. Not too useful, but better than some of the following!,
2) Check by means such as viewing via OMF (if hive is so fitted and has viewing clearance or opportunity of web cam or other viewing aid), stethoscope for sound, thermometer probe onto crownboard, sheet under hive to check for wax fragments after a day or two.
OK, some may not give an instantaneous result, but none need interfere with the bees' slumber, so the ideal choices.
3) Tap hive lightly and listen for response with a stethoscope.
4) Tap louder on hive and rely on hearing.
5) Bang on hive and listen for response.
6) Bang on hive and shake same to get some form of response.
7) 6), followed by removing crownboard and check, after banging hive about to break the propolis seal that should be securing it.
8) Remove frames to check.
Clearly a wide range of actions from nothing to sheer mayhem for the slumbering bees. It must be clear to nearly all that the latter part of the list is going to be potentially more disruptive than the earlier part. It should also be obvious to most that while you might get away with removing the crownboard a few times, during the winter months, for a strong healthy colony, the same could not be said for a small weak colony; that's right, the small weak one would be more likely to succumb!
Clearly, the number of, and intervals between, checks can make a difference to the viability of the colony, all other things being equal.
Hence my point of extrapolating or interpolating from known situations, of likely effects of different methods of checking for colony life can demonstrate which actions are good and which are bad. With more refinement one can ascertain which would be better or worse.
Tapping hives, while not the best is not the worst either - unless the colony happens to be a small weak one and particularly if the tapping is carried out regularly at short intervals (a common trait of new beeks is checking/inspecting too often, summer or winter). Checking/monitoring by totally a non-disturbance routine must be better every time.
Why disturb the bees more than necessary?
I agree with Finman on this one. End of story. Beekeepers will make their own choice and it is down to them if small weak colonies are unduly disturbed and perish..
I will now clear off and let some argue about it further; I will await gentle hefting time to come around and carry out simple checks, only interveing where necessary until springtime arrives.
RAB
. I have to stay up well past midnight as it's a tradition for me to call home and wish my mother a happy new year and happy birthday (no chance of me forgetting her birthday!) My late grandparents would also stay up expecting my call - up until they were 90 and beyond! Grandad always had a few botles of 'gold watch' tucked beside his chair 'for visitors' so he was happy enough to stay up.
