Thread: Beekeeping

Originally Posted by AcesandEights

We always leave everything frosted and dead bees where they lay, as it keep the warmth in. They'll push the dead out of the way, if they want out.


We never, ever 'pop the top', even for a peek, until we unwrap them come spring.

But, everyone does theirs differently.


It was up in the 50's+ here over the weekend. We had a handful of bees flying around the front porch...about 300yrds from the bee yard.

Kinda nice to see them out and about!

I lifted the built right moisture cover but not the inner cover. I have to order bees soon and couldn't tell if they were even alive.

I was worried about the entrances being frosted and snowed shut. One hive had both entrances open. One had only a small hole from the bottom through the snow. The other had both completely shut off. I was worried that if they couldn't get out for a cleansing flight I might get dysentery.

I will take any advice as I am certainly not an expert. I am sharing my mistakes as well as the good things.

Tim

Edit, I meant the bees might get dysentery not me....

How long do the Bee's live?
Don't they all freeze to death without a heater?

Originally Posted by Hirlau

How long do the Bee's live?
Don't they all freeze to death without a heater?

Depends on their "Role."

Queens: 3-5 yrs.

Workers: (depends) If born/hatched in the spring: 40-ish days; IF born/hatched in the fall: 150-ish days. ((Basically...you want to be a Late Bloomer...no pun intended) ))

Drones: 90-120 days (It really depends on how 'willing' one is to "give up their Virginity", as Drones 'usually' don't make is but a few days, after mating((In FLIGHT, mind you...which is AMAZING, in and of itself)). If they do...they WILL die come fall. )



All, of course, are dependent upon your climate...Warm = longer: Cold = shorter.


As a side note: They do not 'freeze to death' in the winter (even in the coldest of climates). Surprisingly enough, a hive can generate, up to 120 degrees F...IF they want to. ((Which is another AMAZING thing about theses little 'Demon Creatures', as I call them. They can "Regulate" things, like Temp. (that I cannot)...merely at "Will."))

So they live less than a year; a sad thing.
If I'm reincarnated as a Bee, I'm not spending my life in one hive; I'm spreading my pollen around in all the hives.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

If I'm reincarnated as a Bee, I'm not spending my life in one hive; I'm spreading my pollen around in all the hives.

THAT'S what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Hirlau

So they live less than a year; a sad thing.
If I'm reincarnated as a Bee, I'm not spending my life in one hive; I'm spreading my pollen around in all the hives.

But you won't be able to straight shave, so what's the point in living anyways?

I'd be a Busy Little Bee, no time to shave.

Drones only spread their pollen once if they are luck and then plummet to their death.......

I have read that the colder the weather the less food they need for the winter because they are not as active.

Then again they will starve to death within a few inches of food in the hive because they will not move the cluster over to eat it.

Originally Posted by 32t

I have read that the colder the weather the less food they need for the winter because they are not as active.

Then again they will starve to death within a few inches of food in the hive because they will not move the cluster over to eat it.

Yes/No. Depends on where your Queen came from, originally. Say you buy your queen from, say Fl., which is a common distributor of Queens and "Starter" packs. Well, she (and they) are 'programed' via DNA to live/mate/produce in a certain number of days. Whereas, just the opposite if you acquire a Queen/starter pack from a northern region.


Yes, to the 2nd. They will 'Defend' the hive, come hell or high water...even if it means keeping it warm vs starving to death!