Too late to do a hive check? Monday, November 10, 2008 Jim, I started a new hive this year and
took good care of it up until July. I haven't checked it since before the
blackberry nectar flow began. My question is: Is
it better to just leave the hive alone until it warms up in Spring, or should I
get into the hive now when the weather is cool?
I'm worried about breaking the seals they've created with propolis between the
boxes, and chilling them. Also, I've been watching their in/out activity,
and everything looks good from that stand point.
Thanks for your time!
~Jamie Dear Jamie, It is generally not a good idea to
open a beehive and examine the frames when the temperature is below 55
degrees. Imagine that you are warm and snug in your bed on a chilly
morning and someone suddenly rips off the covers. You can expect a similar
crabby response from your bees when the weather is cold and wet. It wouldn't be
a good experience for either you or your bees. At this point it would
probably be best just take your chances and wait until spring. If the
hive seemed healthy and prosperous when you last examined it, hopefully that is
still the case. Examining frames in poor weather is very difficult.
In addition to crabby bees, the bees will be thickly clustered on the frames,
making it difficult for you to see brood or locate the queen. Besides, if you
do discover a problem, there isn't much you can do to fix it at this late
stage. Damaging the bees weather stripping (propolis seals} and chilling brood
are not worth the limited benefit you could derive from examining frames.
Since you referenced the blackberry nectar
flow I am assuming that you and your bees probably live somewhere in western
~Jim |