Another Screened Bottom issue

biggraham610 · July 13, 2014, 05:12:07 PM

Well, I only have one screened bottom board, The rest are solid. Bought that one in a pinch from someone local. Im new so I just went with what I had, solids. since, I have read posts about preference and the solids seem to always win out. Today when I was doing inspections, I wanted to check below the top super, so, I pop the box. Burr comb tying the boxes together full of honey, no big deal. Finish inspection put things back together and see a bunch of bees under the landing board. About a palm sized puddle under the sbb. Within minutes, It was a frenzy, wide open. ended up having to close down all the hive entrances best I could with grass. they each have a hole the size of a thumbnail. Hope they can defend them. My point is, with a solid bottom, the house bees would have cleaned that up, and all 3 hives would have remained calm I expect. I honestly didnt see much mortal combat, but having to leave and wonder is enough of a reason to stick with solids. G :chop:

flyboy · July 13, 2014, 07:15:08 PM

I am having trouble figuring out what you are saying. What was the puddle you saw?

biggraham610 · July 13, 2014, 09:45:43 PM

Quote from: flyboy on July 13, 2014, 07:15:08 PM
I am having trouble figuring out what you are saying. What was the puddle you saw?

Honey..................... G

rookie2531 · July 13, 2014, 09:55:11 PM

I had this happen to me last time I cut burr out and I use the screened Ipm board and the bees didn't even notice the spill but the ants sure did.

biggraham610 · July 13, 2014, 10:16:16 PM

Quote from: rookie2531 on July 13, 2014, 09:55:11 PM
I had this happen to me last time I cut burr out and I use the screened Ipm board and the bees didn't even notice the spill but the ants sure did.

I didnt have the board in, It was completely opened up. Probably my bad. Im just going to change out the bottom in the spring so everything is uniform. G :chop:

BeeMaster2 · July 13, 2014, 10:20:05 PM

Quote from: rookie2531 on July 13, 2014, 09:55:11 PM
I had this happen to me last time I cut burr out and I use the screened Ipm board and the bees didn't even notice the spill but the ants sure did.

The difference, is the food source. I have taken a tool box hive apart in my apiary, honey spilled all over the place and had no problems.
Today I tried to show some friends that want to get bees how to do an open hive inspection. The bees were working hard but every time I lifted the lids above the STB, the bees were swarming the hives. Last week I worked in 2 hives in this apiary with no problems.
There is a flow on but I suspect it is not that strong.
Jim

biggraham610 · July 13, 2014, 11:08:16 PM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on July 13, 2014, 10:20:05 PM
Quote from: rookie2531 on July 13, 2014, 09:55:11 PM
I had this happen to me last time I cut burr out and I use the screened Ipm board and the bees didn't even notice the spill but the ants sure did.

The difference, is the food source. I have taken a tool box hive apart in my apiary, honey spilled all over the place and had no problems.
Today I tried to show some friends that want to get bees how to do an open hive inspection. The bees were working hard but every time I lifted the lids above the STB, the bees were swarming the hives. Last week I worked in 2 hives in this apiary with no problems.
There is a flow on but I suspect it is not that strong.
Jim

Im with you Jim, things have slowed WAY down here. Im not even sure that the majority of the bees werent house bees on a recovery mission. But, I figured better safe than sorry. Anyway, Hope alls going well. G :chop: