docile bees on front of NUC....

[JonnyPicklechin]

..my sixth and "weakest" hive is a Poly NUC. Noticed today on the top roof and near the entrance and on grass blades, pairs or more of bees tending each other but hardly moving. Then as the afternoon wore on, single bees just motionless save for antennae waving. Twilight sees them still there and it looks like they have given up the ghost..Must be about 15-20 in total.

I even noticed one with laden pollen baskets on a grass blade...Same thing, like she's given up.

It doesn't look like CBPV...no shaking, or hairless bees.

The colony (like others in the apiary) has been well fed with 1:1 for the 3-4 last weeks.

Anyone have any ideas what this might be?

 

[simonforeman]

I have had the odd bees today the same... I'm putting it down to 13 degrees and a cold breeze. I think they have got cold as you can see others that make it back to landing board slowly going in laden with pollen. While others going about as normal but may not have travelled as far....

 

[thedozzer]

been out looking at the hive occasionally today as a break from paperwork, we have had a few bees on the floor, thought they were dead as they were not moving, but put three in my hand and the only thing moving was their antenna, so warmed then up in my hand and all three flew off eventually, so think some must have got caught out with the cold!!

 

[Millet]

A quick chill in the air can slow them down to a point where they can not fly or function.. i have seen many caught out when the wind changes direction... i used to mess about saving them when i had a few hives but it gets monotonous when you are trying to save hundreds so i let them get on with it.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

A quick chill in the air can slow them down to a point where they can not fly or function.. i have seen many caught out when the wind changes direction... i used to mess about saving them when i had a few hives but it gets monotonous when you are trying to save hundreds so i let them get on with it.

I think thats what it was...It's mild today, warm actually, down here in the smoke. Normal service has resumed.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

The colony (like others in the apiary) has been well fed with 1:1 for the 3-4 last weeks.

if you want them to lay down stores for winter, then thick syrup would be better

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

if you want them to lay down stores for winter, then thick syrup would be better

Daft question (because I can do maths) but there still seems to be a bone of contention of what is "thick" syrup:

What is 1Kg of Sugar to 625 ml of water? I am using that....

 

[Millet]

Daft question (because I can do maths) but there still seems to be a bone of contention of what is "thick" syrup:

What is 1Kg of Sugar to 625 ml of water? I am using that....

I have no idea to that question but the way i do it is simple... pour your dry sugar in to a pan... mark the level of the sugar in the pan and fill with boiling water to that mark... that will give you 2:1 sugar syrup no matter what size container or how much sugar you use.. that ratio is better for the bees to store it..

 

[Buzzlodge]

What is 1Kg of Sugar to 625 ml of water? I am using that....

Thats roughly what I use. I find that 600ml is just enough to dissolve 1kg easily.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Daft question (because I can do maths) but there still seems to be a bone of contention of what is "thick" syrup:

What is 1Kg of Sugar to 625 ml of water? I am using that....

Here we go again

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

I am going to call it "1K625 syrup" from now on.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[mike99]

I am going to call it "1K625 syrup" from now on.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

I bet GCHQ perked their ears up at that label.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

I bet GCHQ perked their ears up at that label.

Quote...Not shopping for sugar in Salisbury...unquote

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk