- Joined
- May 18, 2013
- Messages
- 3,274
- Reaction score
- 30
- Location
- Traditional Surrey
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 10-20 depending
And the "Hive Entrance" book linked on here talks about kicking out the foragers at this time of year. Nature...
If it helps, think about the numbers and timing. At peak egg laying you had 1000-2000 a day, and with warmish weather a while back that may have continued longer that other years. With a limited lifespan, that's how many bees die per day later. Many hives have a brood gap in autumn, or drastically reduce laying over a short period. Combine that with a few colder days when the bees don't get out. Result is a few thousand bees dying in the hive and fewer younger house bees available to shift them. It can look bad, but may be just part of the annual cycle.
If it helps, think about the numbers and timing. At peak egg laying you had 1000-2000 a day, and with warmish weather a while back that may have continued longer that other years. With a limited lifespan, that's how many bees die per day later. Many hives have a brood gap in autumn, or drastically reduce laying over a short period. Combine that with a few colder days when the bees don't get out. Result is a few thousand bees dying in the hive and fewer younger house bees available to shift them. It can look bad, but may be just part of the annual cycle.
http://www.------------/library/gen...eping_books_articles/At the Hive Entrance.pdf
Insert biobees for the free download.
It really is a very valuable little book and worth keeping to hand.
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