When I opened up the hive yesterday the bees seemed sluggish. Some were just still. A few were shaking. The temperature outside was about 50 degrees, and it was damp outside from the mist and rain. Also, is it customary to see a lot of dead bees around this time? I have a lot of bees in the hive, but a lot of dead ones on the ground as well. The dead bees have black heads, almost like they've been charred, and their bodies have turned a darker golden brown. Is this just the way they look?
Reuben, oh dear, that does not sound good. When I read your post and you spoke of quivering bees, the first thing that came to my mind was poisoning. Now, do not take this as word. It is only something that has been brought back from the cobwebs of my mind, but it seems that we were taught that shaking bees is one sure-fired way of determining poisoning. Others will chime in, perhaps others that have witnessed this thing. The dark heads on the bees perplexes me actually. Wait and see, answers will come. Have that wonderful, great day, Cindi
Are there enough bees to cluster? If not, they are cold.
If they haven't been flying too much, not likely to be poisoning.
On sunny days they have been flying, otherwise acting normally. Yes, there are enough bees to cluster. I can see the cluster just from looking into the hive entrance. Could they be reacting to Apiguard? I am using 1 pack at a time and following directions. It seems to be working as mites are falling off.
When I used Apiguard , I had the same reaction with one hive. I read somewhere if they have tracheal mite that some bees may die due to clogged airways from dead mites. I believe this because I did send a sample from this hive to a lab and their was some tracheal mites found in the spring.
I would think that at 50 degrees, the bees are shivering to produce heat. They do this while in a cluster. Also, if it was morning and not very warm, they probably hadn't really gotten active yet. What are your night temperatures these days? I've opened my hives early morning and practically woken everyone up! And the dead bees are sometimes normal this time of year. The cold can have a large impact and the older bees just give out. Also, some of the dead bees may be the drones who get cast out this time of year.
Nelly
reubenburwell;
In our area 50 degree temps are fairly normal this time of year, so unless you obtained your bees from a warmer climate (GA, AL, FL, MI, MO, etc) they shouldn't be shivering that much. I've observed my bees flying at 39 F. It takes 2 years (2nd winter) for bees to aclimate.
They will shiver more from moisture than any other cause, are your hives vented at the top to allow moist air to escape the hive so the condensation doesn't build up and rain on the bees? If not do so as condensation within the hive, during winter, is a real good way to lose the hive.
The amount of dead bees sounds normal for late season drone and old forager die off prior to winter cluster. The blackness of the heads mean old bees.