Hello all -
First year beek but was wondering if the more experienced beeks could advise how long-term high heat and humidity affects bees? I know honey stores are down in the Atlanta area for most keepers, but are there longer term effects we need to watch out for? We've had 46 days so far this summer over 90 and no end in sight. Heat indexes have consistently been over 100. I've started feeding but anything else I need to do to help my girls out?
Thanks!
I recall reading "somewhere" that the hive temperature is usually "kept" in the low 90's by the bees. Watch how they act, if there hive entrance is flooded with bees fanning, it may be getting a bit hot/humid for them.
Your action depends on your equipment. I have screened bottom boards and ventilated top covers so I'm comfortable letting the bees manage air movement themselves. If you have a solid bottom board and telescoping tops, you may want to crack the top some to add ventilation if the bees seem stressed.
I'm sure someone with experience in your heat will pop on soon, this is my $.02.
J-
Screen bottom boards and a vented inner cover and you'll be totally fine. Even without them, the girls will work hard at fanning it to a comfortable temp.
Remember, they have bees in Egypt and many other middle eastern countries where it is HOT HOT HOT!
They do fine down here in the south. If I see them bearding and fanning really heavy I will prop up the lid on the hive. Screened bottom boards does reduce bearding on the hives.
Remember, bees take in water for the air conditioning and bees can be found in the hottest places, think about walls and attics of houses. And they pic those places, not like being placed in boxes by us.
They haul a lot of water.
Quote from: theriverhawk on August 07, 2010, 11:57:14 AM
Screen bottom boards and a vented inner cover and you'll be totally fine. Even without them, the girls will work hard at fanning it to a comfortable temp.
Remember, they have bees in Egypt and many other middle eastern countries where it is HOT HOT HOT!
Low humidity in the Middle East helps the bees cool by evaporation of water. High humidity makes cooling more difficult. If the temp is very high I would think you could have too much ventilation. If it's over 100F, the bees need to create a cooler microclimate inside the hive. If you ventilate strongly, the hive is forced closer to the ambient outdoor temperature. You need some top ventilation, but don't set up cross ventilation.... like having the vent on the opposite side of the hive from the entrance. Passive cross ventilation makes it harder for the bees to control the airflow.
and they used to count the days over "100"............