How many dead bees in winter is normal??

[Dr. B in Wisconsin]

Hello
Just kind of curious, I live in Wisconsin and it was down to -10 F the other day and with snow on the ground its very easy to see how many dead bees are being carried out and left in the snow. I think I may count them and keep track, but when its so cold outside it may not be much fun. So my question is, in a cold climate like mine about how many dead bees will be brought out in one normal day during winter? This is my first year winter.
Thanks,
Brian

[Kathyp]

when they drop on my snow, it looks like the snow is sprinkled with pepper.  it's a good sign that they are cleaning house.  sign of a healthy hive.
in spring, when you clean your BB, you'll probably find another pile of dead bees.
i can't give you a number, but lots of bees die over the winter....and all year....i think we just see them more at this time of the year.

[AllenF]

Another thing to consider is how many birds are flying in your area.   They clean up around the hives also so the dead bees are disappearing.

[Finski]

Hello
Just kind of curious, I live in Wisconsin and it was down to -10 F the other day and with snow on the ground its very easy to see how many dead bees are being carried out and left in the snow. I think I may count them and keep track, but when its so cold outside it may not be much fun. So my question

Makes no sence to calculate them. You cannot find them.

[T Beek]

I'm in Northwest Wisconsin with temps the last 4-5 nights down to minus 18-22, and on average I guess I'll notice 20-50 dead bees scatered in front "IF" its been 20+ something, sunny and calm during the day.  Have you noticed little death swirls in the snow?  Don't know if its the undertakers who couldn't make it back or sick bees (they look healthy).  Although they have their own schedual.  I try to check out my hives at least everyother day even during winter, using a stethascope to check on cluster location.  Sometimes only one has cleaned house, some times they all do, but I trust they Know what they're doing.

Yesterday only my long hive had bees in front.  Todays another day.

thomas

[Acebird]

I always thought they didn't go outside when it was so cold.  I am wondering if it is some that took a chance to go out and take a dump but didn't make it back in in time.

Count all you want but what ever is happening I wouldn't open that hive up just now.

[T Beek]

No-I never open my hives during winter.  I'll check on them listening with my stethascope and count any dead bees scatered around.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.

As for whether they fly around, I'm sure some of the dead are just what you discribe, and others were likely part of the clean up crew who also didn't make it back in time.  Its not uncommon for me to see one or two (on a more mild day, but still cold) buzz by me griping a dead sister flying into the woods.  I cannot help but think that those won't make it back. But who knows, its not like I can follow them :-D

thomas

[Scadsobees]

I always leave a small spacer rim on the hive over the winter.  That way, when the weather isn't too bad I can crack the top and see where they are and what they are doing.

If they are all packed up at the top, I'll also try seeing between frames...if I don't see honey, then it is time to pour on some sugar or crystallized honey.

I've never had a hive die from peeking in the top.  I have however had a few die from starvation from my miscalculating how much honey to leave.

Rick

[T Beek]

If it stays too cold, too long for the cluster to move to their stored honey, they will starve, sometimes right next to their stores.  It happens all too often to Northern Beeks.

thomas

[Acebird]

If it stays too cold, too long for the cluster to move to their stored honey, they will starve, sometimes right next to their stores.  It happens all too often to Northern Beeks.

Any known solution to this problem?  Logic says add heat.  That creates two other questions: How much? and When?

[T Beek]

I've been asking that question for several years.  The Old-timers (older than me anyway) used to bring their hives inside their basements or rootcellars.  I don't like the idea of heating them, I think its best to allow them to acclimate, which means "doing what ever you have the heart to do" to keep them alive.  At least for the first few years as you learn and they hopefully survive.  That's the "keeper" in beekeeper I've found out.

thomas

[Acebird]

I don't like the idea of heating them, I think its best to allow them to acclimate,

If they are dieing they are not acclimating.  When I say heat I was thinking just enough heat to break the ice so to speak.  Maybe a day or two to give them a chance to reach the honey and then turn it off for a week.  I wasn't thinking heating the whole season.  I agree that would be bad.

[T Beek]

if you "heat" them up they'll be "fooled" into thinking its time to break cluster, start nursing larva and all kinds of other Spring preparation activities that are best left for them to decide "once temps have warmed and there's forage available."

thomas

[Acebird]

OKay, what happens when it is single digit weather for two solid weeks and then you get a 40 degree day?  If you added heat in the middle of the first week just enough to simulate the 40 degree day wouldn't that be the same?

Last February we had a heat wave that put temperatures into the 60's and then nose dived back down in the teens the next week.  We usually get a January thaw that is very similar.  Does that screw up the bees or does that help them make it through?

[Scadsobees]

It is unusual for a strong hive to starve and die within inches of a cluster, although it can and does happen.  A weak hive will a lot quicker though.

Yes, that January/Feb thaw can hurt the bees, although it is much worse if it happens in March (here in zone 6).  You are best off making sure they have enough honey and that they are adequately protected, and then just stop worrying about them, there isn't much you can do.

On another note...my observation hive has a tiny cluster and 1.5 frames of honey, yet the bees have always made it to spring.  It is 70-80F in that room all winter, and they don't start raising brood till March.  (Then they crash in May when the beetles, who enjoy the 80F room, massacre them)

[T Beek]

We've had weeks where it didn't get above zero and had bees thrive come Spring with no more assistance than a good dry sugar feeding in the fall and 2 inches of rigid insulation on top.  

I "think" that any warm up, whether artificial or natural that occures "before" there is available forage, causes trauma to the bees and will more likely kill them as help them.  For sure they'll start gorging on whatever stores they have put up only to have nothing available (unless you feed sugar) till Spring.  

But that's me, if you wanna experiment, go to it man.  I just don't think it would be helpful.  Bees have been kept in worse climates than ours without resorting to artificial heating.

the bees are the "only" experts.

thomas

[T Beek]

 8-)Wow! Just watched the latest video from "BEE NATURALl"  Amazing and timely for this thread/discussion.  Check it out.  If I wasn't such a technopeasent I'd link yas.  oh well.  I'm gonna go watch again 8-)

thomas

[Acebird]

Thomas, it sounds like this discussion is going is circles.  If the bees can't reach the honey because of extended periods of cold they are not going to reach the sugar either.  I am not talking about warming the box up to your living room temp I was only thinking out loud about adding enough heat just so they can reach their stores.  Feeding sugar or not feeding sugar has nothing to do with the bees starving when there was enough of there own food.

"Bee natural" is this another forum/ discussion on this site or something else?

[T Beek]

When its very cold they consume very little, they consume more as it gets warm, whether naturally or by any other means.  I still believe its best not to mess with them.  Did you check out the video? it explained alot to me.

thomas

[Acebird]

I'd like to but you got to give me an idea where to find it.