TooBee...
Field Bee
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2017
- Messages
- 583
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Ireland
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 2+ nucs
I was reading through this article
https://poly-hive.co.uk/recourses/m...intering/brood-rearing-in-the-winter-cluster/
And I focused in on this paragraph,
"Our numerous experiments with ‘super colonies’-and the one in the weighing hut had shown, that when there are too many bees in a hive, or when the hive is too insulated and too warm for a mild climate, thirst-crazy bees were driven out to fly at the slightest excuse; not to gambol in the sunshine, but to collect water. But, coming from the warmth with out having contributed towards its maintenance, they quickly chilled before reaching it."
(Putting aside the issue of Super Colonies and Over-Insulated Hives...)
It got me thinking: for the bees to leave the hive for water, during cooler months is potentially risky for them, many (myself included) beeks are already seeing large amounts of crystallized honey in our frames (winter stores from Ivy) and naturally the bees will need some water to see them over the winter... but in a wild (tree cavity) hive wouldn't water be more easily accessible, maybe at the entrance???
Which made me think, does anyone here add an small entrance feeder with water instead of syrup to their hive during the winter, naturally it would have to be wrapped in insulation to reduce extreme temp. changes, ... but at least it would be a source of winter water for the bees?
Does anyone know of any experiments in this area?
https://poly-hive.co.uk/recourses/m...intering/brood-rearing-in-the-winter-cluster/
And I focused in on this paragraph,
"Our numerous experiments with ‘super colonies’-and the one in the weighing hut had shown, that when there are too many bees in a hive, or when the hive is too insulated and too warm for a mild climate, thirst-crazy bees were driven out to fly at the slightest excuse; not to gambol in the sunshine, but to collect water. But, coming from the warmth with out having contributed towards its maintenance, they quickly chilled before reaching it."
(Putting aside the issue of Super Colonies and Over-Insulated Hives...)
It got me thinking: for the bees to leave the hive for water, during cooler months is potentially risky for them, many (myself included) beeks are already seeing large amounts of crystallized honey in our frames (winter stores from Ivy) and naturally the bees will need some water to see them over the winter... but in a wild (tree cavity) hive wouldn't water be more easily accessible, maybe at the entrance???
Which made me think, does anyone here add an small entrance feeder with water instead of syrup to their hive during the winter, naturally it would have to be wrapped in insulation to reduce extreme temp. changes, ... but at least it would be a source of winter water for the bees?
Does anyone know of any experiments in this area?