Part of cluster may die into icy prison

[Finman]

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I look a weak hive 2 days ago, how is it doing. I lifted it into the shelter and I put into it a 3 W terrarium heater.

Weather was warm one day . 3 days ago it was +5C. Them temp went down quickly to - 10C. And it was strong wind.

Part of bees went on side combs, when cluster was large. But then quick drop in temperature makes such, thet they cannot return to main cluster over the frame edge . Interior went too cold suddenly.

Now it was promised -18C this night, but when I woke up, temp was -3C.


Warm periods are important for bees, that they can re organize the cluster and they can move to the new food stores.

Biggest losses happens when frost period is 2 months and frost near -20C.

Snow keeps the frost moderate. It allows bees to move in the warm hive.

The bigger cluster, the warmer hive.
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[Hivemaker.]

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I look a weak hive 2 days ago, how is it doing.

Why are they weak?

 

[Hivemaker.]

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Warm periods are important for bees, that they can re organize the cluster and they can move to the new food stores.

We have warm weather here again now.

 

[Finman]

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Another case is that when frost stays long time, the food may finish in the individual seam. Then that gang in the seem will starve out. It can happen in the middle of the cluster.

It has been winters when 3 seems have died out of 8 seams in many hives.It is then 1/3 out of colony.

During mild winter weathers that will not happen. Bees can change the site and go the the seem which have food.



If some one worries, that oxalic trickling kills 10% of bees, forget it. It is nothing.
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[Hivemaker.]

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I put into it a 3 W terrarium heater.
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Does this work off mains electric or a solar panel?

 

[Finman]

Does this work off mains electric or a solar panel?

We have not sun this time of year.
but I have normal electricts on the cottage yard.

 

[Finman]

Why are they weak?

As well as you Apidea winterers.

Colony has 6 frames bees. Such is weak. August was a bad month. Bees did not have flowers, from where they could get nectar.

I know that heating slows down the weakening of the cluster.
Hives have have now 5 winter months ahead before first flowers give pollen and brooding starts.

4 frames of bees is critical in April. Such colony can start brood rearing, but it is too slow.
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Luckily I bought irradiated pollen and that colony will do well in May. IT needs only one frame of emerging bees from a big colony, but such hive cannot get early yield in June.
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[farmerboy5470]

Luckily I bought irradiated pollen and that colony will do well in May.
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What do you find is the most effective way to feed this/get the bees to take it?

 

[MartinL]

We have warm weather here again now.

In comparison with Finland, we haven't had any real cold, -4 for 1 night was the limit.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Why are they weak?

Riddled with varroa probably - that's the usual excuse

 

[Finman]

Riddled with varroa probably - that's the usual excuse

No. It is AFB.

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[For want of a better word]

No. It is AFB.

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Do not worry when the Winter temperature hits minus 40 centigrade and you trickle OA the cold will kill the AFB..... and the bees probably?

17 degrees and sunny today in the sub tropical greatgreygreenslipperyslimeywonderfultamarvalleyallsetaboutwithsecondhomesforsaleascounciltaxsetstodouble.

Yeghes da

 

[Finman]

Riddled with varroa probably

Do not worry about me Jenkins. That hive will bring in two days such yield what you need to gather the whole summer, 6 months in Wales..

 

[Finman]

Do not worry when the Winter temperature hits minus 40 centigrade and you trickle OA the cold will kill the AFB..... and the bees probably?

Yeghes da

Cold does not kill but moisture kills. In -40C air is very dry.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

As well as you Apidea winterers.

Colony has 6 frames bees. Such is weak. August was a bad month. Bees did not have flowers, from where they could get nectar.

I know that heating slows down the weakening of the cluster.
Hives have have now 5 winter months ahead before first flowers give pollen and brooding starts.

4 frames of bees is critical in April. Such colony can start brood rearing, but it is too slow.
.
Luckily I bought irradiated pollen and that colony will do well in May. IT needs only one frame of emerging bees from a big colony, but such hive cannot get early yield in June.
.

What is your current source of Irradiated Pollen?

CVB

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Chernobyl

 

[Finman]

What is your current source of Irradiated Pollen?

CVB

I bought from Finland. The seller did not tell, from where he got it.
.
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[Fusion_power]

most of the irradiated pollen on the market one way or another winds up coming from china. Not saying this is, just that china produces what I have seen for sale.

 

[Finman]

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Price of irradiated pollen has rosen many fold in 10 years.
I bet that most pollen goes to super food business, and there the price is astronomic.
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" piece of perfect food". It has same aminoacids as cow milk!
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Superfood organic pollen 100 $/kg

Lingon berry honey 150 $/kg.

Caviar 1000 $/kg
.
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[jenkinsbrynmair]

Is caviar good for brood production then? I've always got some lying around in the fridge - I might try it