Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: carlfaba10t on March 25, 2012, 11:47:29 PM

Poll
Question: Can honey bees fly in rain,or heavy rain.
Option 1: can they fly votes: 1
Option 2: do they die votes: 1
Title: bees and spring rains
Post by: carlfaba10t on March 25, 2012, 11:47:29 PM
Had one of those 57 degree days today w/sun and the bees were foraging close to hive,i have fruit trees blooming about a month early this year. Then here comes rain that turned to downpour,was hoping my bees  made it back to hive.
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: Michael Bush on March 26, 2012, 12:56:37 AM
Yes sometimes they will fly and yes sometimes they die.
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: The Bix on March 26, 2012, 07:34:14 PM
I'd rather have the rain than trying to hold back the 70 mph wind gusts.  Ugh!  Lots of bees on the ground...just ran out of juice and gave up.
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: AllenF on March 26, 2012, 07:42:16 PM
I have seen them fly in light rain all the time.   Heavy rains, I am sure they take shelter, or just sit there until they can fly.
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: carlfaba10t on March 26, 2012, 11:59:48 PM
Thanks Allenf; I think you hit it on the head,i watched them out working today.Kinda sad the fruit trees are almost in full bloom and the poor bees can not get out to forage very often,with the rain and some days just to cold for them to fly.At least the apples and pears are not blooming yet.  :bee: :bee:
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: carlfaba10t on March 27, 2012, 12:03:49 AM
Hey Bix where do you live? 70 miles per hr. Must be coast or florida.
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: Kathyp on March 27, 2012, 12:11:48 AM
in oregon they fly in the rain or they don't fly at all!  not to worry, they seem to do ok.  some will not make it back, but most will survive.
Title: Re: bees and spring rains
Post by: The Bix on March 27, 2012, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: carlfaba10t on March 27, 2012, 12:03:49 AM
Hey Bix where do you live? 70 miles per hr. Must be coast or florida.

SE of Denver...70mph wind gusts, sustained winds were a lot less, like maybe 30-35.  Supposed to be a lot nicer today...hopefully not too much carnage.  Had a big ol' wildfire about 30 miles west of here, darkened the afternoon sky yesterday.