What to do with dead bees?

[Amari]

Four days ago I took off the mouse guards and 'swept' the hive floors through the hive entrance with the curved end of the hive tool to remove any dead bees .Most hives had about half a cupful of dead bodies but one had 1 1/2 cups full
In retrospect I should have laid a sheet below the entrances to catch the bodies but in the event I let them fall into the grass where it would be difficult to retrieve them. What do other forumites do?
Bees were flying from all hives (Temp 12C) so at least the colonies are still alive!

 

[MuswellMetro]

I seldom clean the mouseguarded entrances unless they are a small colony but when i do I leave them on the grass, let nature take its course,

you are clearing up a handful...the bees have ejected possible several thousand of dead bees

 

[Midland Beek]

Chuck 'em over the hedge.

 

[Finman]

.
If I have much dead bees in front of entrance, I cover bodies with soil.

 

[waverider]

I sprinkle lime on them to speed things up.

 

[For want of a better word]

My wife's Buff Orpingtons eat them !

Tried them in chutney ... but a bit crunchy!

 

[northernsoul]

mine get a state funeral with full military honours each one attached to a gun carriage

 

[domino]

I give mine a Viking burial, in little matchstick war-boats that we set fire to on the pond.

 

[VEG]

Chuck 'em over the hedge.

Thats what I do

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

.
If I have much dead bees in front of entrance, I cover bodies with soil.

Making all the little crosses is a bit of a bind though

 

[psafloyd]

Four days ago I took off the mouse guards and 'swept' the hive floors through the hive entrance with the curved end of the hive tool to remove any dead bees .Most hives had about half a cupful of dead bodies but one had 1 1/2 cups full
In retrospect I should have laid a sheet below the entrances to catch the bodies but in the event I let them fall into the grass where it would be difficult to retrieve them. What do other forumites do?
Bees were flying from all hives (Temp 12C) so at least the colonies are still alive!

I would move them somewhere else away from the apiary/hives and leave them for the birds. I'm pretty sure my robin has a field day when I leave any out.

 

[richardbees]

My wife's Buff Orpingtons eat them !

icanhopit

I'm thinking of getting some chickens and the easiest place to make 'fox proof' includes where the hives are. Would the chickens create any problems...... ?

 

[Tdf]

there's nothing wrong with leaving them there, over time bodies do tend to build up outside even without mouse guards

 

[Amari]

there's nothing wrong with leaving them there, over time bodies do tend to build up outside even without mouse guards

I am worried they may harbour disease. Birds don't seem to eat them

 

[susbees]

I am worried they may harbour disease. Birds don't seem to eat them

Certainly if it's a case of closing up a dead out then all material inside should be sensibly disposed of. But once it's a few turfed out on the grass or over the hedge, what route can vector pathogens from the corpses back into the hive (except if you pollute your water source)? Different story with old bits of comb etc during inspections - which should be tidily removed.

 

[MuswellMetro]

Chuck 'em over the hedge.

£80 fine...Litter wardens in my area

 

[susbees]

£80 fine...Litter wardens in my area

They flew there...well sort of

 

[For want of a better word]

My wife's Buff Orpingtons eat them !

icanhopit

I'm thinking of getting some chickens and the easiest place to make 'fox proof' includes where the hives are. Would the chickens create any problems...... ?

No problems... chickens keep the grass short and soon move away if bees get a bit lively !

A folk singer friend of mine likes to get her gentlemen friends to pee around the perimeter of her garden.. to keep the foxes away !
also has hives and chickens free roaming never lost one to a fox... chicken that is!

 

[Black Comb]

Is male wee more potent than female?

 

[PBee]

Is male wee more potent than female?

It's more species related ..... http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/tools/pest-control/silent-roar-lion-manure/classid.2000004185/. Not a Scottish product ...... I hope.