Fanning in February

[viridens]

The temperature here rose above 15C yesterday, and the hives were busy. It looked more like May. On one hive there were half a dozen busy fanning on the landing board. Whether for temperature or humidity control, or even drying, (there is a fair amount of dandelion in bloom), I don't recall seeing this activity in February before.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Could be fanning their nasonov glands for bees on orientation flights

 

[viridens]

I don't think so. Their rear ends were down.

 

[oliver90owner]

Nothing to do with the date. Activity will greatly depend on the weather.

All may change shortly. Weather forecasts are fickle and often no good for the other than the actual current time.

Just take a look at the ‘Gridwatch Tempest’ website for PV generation to see how much insolation was available for yesterday - compared to the previous couple of months.

I once checked through a hive to search for a queen at his time of the year (it was so warm for a whole week, or more, with temperatures in the 20s every day) and showed no brood whatsoever at the first inspection. Four weeks later she was laying heavily.

Remember the saying ‘One swallow does not make a summer’?

 

[Millet]

Remember the saying ‘One swallow does not make a summer’?

In previous years we have had large amounts of Swallows around the farm buildings and flying around the hives resulting in 100% failure of Queens returning from mating flights..
Last summer we had no Swallows what so ever... i had 90% success of Queens returning from mating flights and the best summer i have seen for years and also the best honey yield i have had up to now..
So in my case no Swallows make a brilliant summer.

 

[Barbarian]

If you are concerned about humidity in the hive, you could try slightly tilting the hive to the entrance. Cold damp air could then flow out of the entrance.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If you are concerned about humidity in the hive, you could try slightly tilting the hive to the entrance. Cold damp air could then flow out of the entrance.

Only if the OP has solid floors

 

[Finman]

.
Pouring cold air away from the hive must be an odd magic. And living hive is always warmer than outdoor air.

 

[Finman]

Only if the OP has solid floors

Never heard about such operation. To drill out water from solid floor is reality in winter.