Can bees abscond from over being over-heated?

Foxhound · August 15, 2012, 12:41:02 AM

My bees absconded after 5 straight days of 100+ weather her in Alabama. The hive was in full sun with a solid bottom board. The inner cover/top cover were not propped open to help with the circulation. I didn't have any swarm or supercedure cells.

I do think a raccoon was bother them in the evenings, but other then that, I cant think of any other reason for them to abscond.

Any ideas?

BlueBee · August 15, 2012, 07:52:35 AM

A pest infestation can also drive them to abscond. I have had a couple of small nucs abscond from what I suspect was over heating, but I can't be sure. We don't get your kind of extended hot spells up here (normally), but I still think it's a good idea to reflect (or insulate) incoming solar radiation so it doesn't cook a hive in the first place. A sun cooked hive just makes more work for the bees.

Supposedly one of the reasons why hives are painted white is to reflect more of the summer solar radiation. About 100 watts / sq foot.

Jim134 · August 15, 2012, 08:01:53 AM

May bee no water :roll:

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

carlfaba10t · August 15, 2012, 03:15:21 PM

Just spray the hive down with a fine mist of water, the bees love it after they get over being angry! :-D

AllenF · August 15, 2012, 08:50:20 PM

I bet there was another reason they left besides the heat. How long were they in the hive and and honey stores or brood? I bet they were hungry. Seen it before.

Foxhound · August 15, 2012, 11:47:59 PM

Quote from: AllenF on August 15, 2012, 08:50:20 PM
I bet there was another reason they left besides the heat. How long were they in the hive and and honey stores or brood? I bet they were hungry. Seen it before.

In the weeks prior, they took in a couple gallons of 1:1. These bees were from a nuc, and had been in the hive about 7 weeks. There was a lot of bearding prior to them leaving. Lots of bees were seemingly falling off in globs from the landing board and top entrance. The population was pretty high as well. By the time I realized they were gone, the boxes were robbed out.

BlueBee · August 16, 2012, 12:07:27 AM

Could they have swarmed and the remaining bees succumbed to robbers?

Oops, scratch this comment, i just re-read you said there were no queen cells in the OP.

JP · August 16, 2012, 01:51:55 AM

If the interior of the hive grew unbearably hot to the point honey was dripping onto the bottom board, this would very well cause them to abscond. You likely may never know the answer if that was the case because the hive was robbed out.

...JP

Foxhound · August 16, 2012, 03:47:02 PM

Quote from: BlueBee on August 16, 2012, 12:07:27 AM
Could they have swarmed and the remaining bees succumbed to robbers?

Oops, scratch this comment, i just re-read you said there were no queen cells in the OP.

I was thinking worst case scenario they swarmed, but it was worse then that unfortunately.

Not many robber bees, but 2 Japanese type hornets were destroying any remaining bees. Salt in my wounds... These hornets were huge, and quite a sight to see.

AllenF · August 16, 2012, 08:32:49 PM

Get the shot gun out for those hornets.