Knocked on hives, no sound to be heard

[annette]

OK, I am getting neurotic now.  Last saw the bees last Wednesday when the temp were in the high 50's. They were flying out and even bringing in pollen.

Then we had this horrific wind and rain storm for a few days. I know I prepared them for this according to my previous post.

Today, went up with my friend and her little granddaughter to "Hear the Bees". Well when I knocked on both hives, I did not hear anything. Usually, I hear that short burst of a buzz. Today, nothing.

What do you all make of this??  Could something have happened in 4 days???? My gut tells me they are OK. My fears tell me ______??
But, could they have just quieted down from all the commotion they just experienced the past few days???

What do you think??

Annette

[Understudy]

It's time to look inside if the temps are above 50F/10C.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[annette]

We are in the low 40's now. Guess I have to wait. Feeling very, very emotional right now. Perhaps I  need to get a stethoscope tomorrow and really listen.

[Jerrymac]

Sometimes I can put my ear right on the hive and knock and not hear anything but they are still there the next good fly date.

[Understudy]

We are in the low 40's now. Guess I have to wait. Feeling very, very emotional right now. Perhaps I  need to get a stethoscope tomorrow and really listen.

You can pick up one at goodwill.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[annette]

Sometimes I can put my ear right on the hive and knock and not hear anything but they are still there the next good fly date.

This sounds like music to my ears. I pray this is so!!!!

And I will check with Goodwill.

Annette

[rdy-b]

realax every thing is ok let them bee- ;) detach a litel they are going to make it -RDY-B

[annette]

Yes, Yes, Yes,  Detach!!!!

[Cindi]

Oh Annette, you remind me of myself in my first years with the bees (coming up three years now in April).  I worried myself half to death about every little thing (I was probably worse than you) (if you can imagine that, hee, hee).  I think that if you saw your bees a few days ago before the storm, honestly, I think that they are really OK.  Sometimes maybe they are just a little bit more quiet.  I know that nothing anyone can say to you will calm the storm within though.  You will have to find out for yourself, but honestly, girl, be patient.  You could go and get a stethescope and listen, it is a little bit of fun.  If you can't get one at a goodwill, I got mine for $9 at a drug store, I told them I wanted the cheapest one available. You could probably get one for around that price, I don't know what your budget would be for this apparatus, but I didn't think that $9 was too bad.  For my own peace of mind it gave to me.  Watch out for the banging of the stethescope disk though, it can be very loud, eeeks!!!  I have lightened up an awful lot with my worrying, I still worry somewhat, but seem to have a somewhat more relaxed feeling.  If they make it wonderful, if they don't, that is a shame.  I have worked hard with them.  But knowing that I have done everything that I can saves my soul.  I have to let the bees be bee and let Mother Nature take her course.  Have the best day, Cindi

[NWIN Beekeeper]

Annette,

Everyone has already told you to relax, I'm not beating this dead horse anymore.

But what I do want is for you to think about what your bees are doing.
You just had a warm spell, everyone got a bathroom break and some winter snacks.
The cluster was really loose and you had bees on wing.

The weather turns a bit, and maybe its about to turn a little more than you realize (but the bees might be noticing!)  Your bees will re-cluster, sometimes overly tight to re-establish cluster heat.  How do bees make their heat? Flexing disengaged wing muscles. If their wing muscles are making heat, they are not prepared to make buzzing wing noise. With a tight cluster, there are fewer surface bees (less bees to make any noise).

In all likelihood, if you saw bees just days ago, they are likely fine.
But, like other suggest, if you get a spree of warm days, take a brief peek and note where the cluster is.
(Don't break the hive down too far for inspection, just peek down through the top bars.)
Is it centered or on the south (warm) side of the box? How are honey stores in that area?
If stores are short, do you have an emergency plan (are you ready to implement it? - sugar still on the store shelf isn't prepared! [smile])

If your concern is damp bees, if you have a reasonable hive slope to remove standing water, I'd not worry too much.  If you had a hive that the cover blew off and the bees were soaked, or a cover that leaks, then I'd be concerned (be even then there emergency plans - extra super on top with wadded newspaper to adsorb and evaporate the moisture).

Likely you are over concerned (considering you saw good health a short while ago).
Winter has that effect on all beekeepers.
Keep yourself in good health, nothing makes the winter longer than a personal injury.
Try to preoccupy yourself with other bee projects (equipment assembly, wax rendering, or reading/re-reading a good bee book), at least then you feel like you are working towards improving something for your bees next year. 

If you really have some time on your hands, few beekeepers appreciate the benefits of a good journal.
Its nice when you can look back after two years to see when you caught that feral swarm that contained the queen that produced daughters that survive every winter with little effort from you, or how long it took packages last year to get to double deeps status, or does one hive get all your drift bees and consequently produce 40 lbs more honey each year.  It seems small, but the best observers make the greatest beekeepers. And 200+ hives doesn't always designate a good beekeeper (some of those folks are so busy being equipment assemblers, syrup deliverymen, or super painters to make the time to observe the changes that have ripple effects throughout a yard, they're merely managers that miss the days when they were beekeepers). 

Answers, not just empathy....
-Jeff

[Scadsobees]

Deep breaths!!
I agree, if they were fine 4 days ago, they are most likely fine now.

There is nothing wrong with occasionally cracking the top of the hive to see what they are up to, especially if you are panicing(which don't do you or them any good).  Temps don't matter all that much.  You don't want to be doing this much during sub 30 weather, but they can tolerate it well > 40.  Remember that many beeks trickle oxalic syrup on them when it is barely in the 30's.

So just pop off the telescoping cover, and check the hole in the inner cover.  If you don't see bees, then just sniff the air coming out.  If they are fine, you will detect perhaps a little heat, but mostly smell for the alarm smell, to me it is a spice smell.
Sometime that is all you need to tell you they are there and still kicking.

If not that, then just crack up the inner cover.  By this point if they are fine a bee will have come out to greet you(at > 40).  If they are clustered tightly you should be able to see them writhing in their cluster way down below.  If it is too dark down there use a flashlight.

This way you don't harm them but you can get a feel for what is going on when, and give you a little peace of mind.

Rick

[Cindi]

There Annette.  Jeff told you a wonderful story, and it was great to read his words and Rick said some very nice stuff too.

So now, Annette, listen to them.  Take that deep breath, we know that you are relaxing somewhat more, that is a good thing.  Relaxation is a wonderful feeling, stress is just stressy crap.  Good, I feel much better now too.  Have the best and most wonderful day, Cindi

[annette]

This post went twice?  Wonder why??

[annette]

I truly appreciate all this advice. Thank you Jeff for explaining what the bees are actually doing inside the box. I was wondering about that. There is sufficient stores having checked on the super 3 weeks ago and found a whole super full of honey. We had many warm days around here before this cold spell came, and I am sure the bees moved the honey around where they needed it. (Per MB) I have several frames of frozen honey in the freezer waiting to be used if necessary.

I have just received a medium size nuc from Brushy Mt. It is so adorable in size and I am attempting to assemble it myself. (it doesn't look very hard, as most of it is already assembled) I have lots of bee work to do to get ready for spring. Thanks for this wonderful advice on keeping busy and staying healthy.

I agree with what you say about observing. I have learned the most from just observing.


And Rick, I have taken those deep breaths. We are expecting temps into the high 50's by
Saturday. They should be out and flying by then.

I will keep you all posted, because you all care so much.

I am truly worried about Tillie and her lost queen. Now that is a real problem.

Sincerely
Annette




Thank you

[annette]

I cried wolf for nothing. Today the bees were out in full force looking great. (well at least one hive looked great - the other was more subdued) So I did get nervous for no reason.

Thanks for all the encouragment.
P.S. - the subdued hive actually looks very vibrant now. Both are looking good right now.

annette

[Michael Bush]

When it comes to bees in the winter, the old Chinese saying applies: "Good news will keep.  Bad news won't go away".  Forget about them until spring. :)

[Cindi]

Annette, yea!!!  Knew all was well, you are a worry wart, so am I, I share this habit with you (and it can also be a good habit, hee, hee),  ;) :)but you will learn to not worry AS much....you will always worry, but the more you understand and see what is going on with the experience like this one, you will feel so much better.  So, good, let them sleep.  Have a great and wonderful day.  Cindi