I've been keeping this hive in my heated garage. The hive has been doing good as long as I don't go in the garage and turn the light on. If the light comes on, the bees start coming out of the hive and they don't go back.
So today hit 40 degrees here in Northern MN. I think the bees could feel the heat, even in my garage. They were wondering out of the hive, so I decided to set the hive outside and let them take some cleansing flights. Man, did they. I have to say, I lost alot of bees that flew out and got stuck in the snow on my roof and all over the yard. I sat and watched for quite some time and observed lots of bees that flew out and did thier business and then returned. I'm hoping I made the right decision. The hive was still very heavy to lift, so I'm thinking they have plenty of stores. Lots of poop stains in the snowand on my wifes car. They hauled out a bunch of dead bees too. Heres a few pics.(http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/5924/beeswinter2011003.jpg)
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5005/beeswinter2011004.jpg)
I hope they do well
How long before your weather turns
I also would like to know if you fed or feed them
Good Luck
Tommyt
My bees were flying some today as well. There are some streaks on the hives and quite a few in the snow. We're supposed to be in the 30's for highs for the next week. I'm hoping for a couple of calm days so they can fly. Only another month and a half before we can really plan on consistently warmer weather.
If they were mine I'd keep them outside and get them as close to where you plan of keeping them, but that's just me. I wouldn't want them getting too comfortable in 'my' garage :-D. My one colony of 'survivor' bees, now in 5th year, take cleansing flights when tmps are in mid-30s and as long as its sunny.
thomas
Hey Leechman,
I was wondering how this hive did. Did it make it?
Thx,
Jay
p.s. will the ice be out before walleye opener? :-D