Bad weather, bee's come in on the 4th

nepenthes · April 02, 2007, 11:17:45 PM

I get my bee's on WED the 4th... Any suggestions?

Michael Bush · April 02, 2007, 11:21:19 PM

44 F? I'd install them. Feed them well before you take them out, spray them with light syrup (2 parts water to 1 part sugar) so they don't fly much and try to get all the bees shaken in the hive, otherwise they will cluster in the shipping box and perish in the cold.

nepenthes · April 02, 2007, 11:23:07 PM

Thanks. If it should rain should i still attempt to install them?

buzzbee · April 02, 2007, 11:30:49 PM

Hi Cody
Josh installed his bees last year on April2 ,the temp dropped to 22 f and snowed.They made it through a cold week okay.Some people crumple newspaper and put above the frames of bees to keep them down with queen when installing in the cold.
We installed two packages today,our weather will be similar over the next week.
http://clinton.extension.psu.edu/Ag/Bees/bee_videos.htm
Unless it's an absolute downpour i think survival in the hive is better than in the package. If you have a feeder have it ready when you put the bees in so you can close the hive up as soon as you can so they can start to build warmth in the hive.

Michael Bush · April 02, 2007, 11:46:20 PM

>If it should rain should i still attempt to install them?

I wouldn't do it in a downpour, but I'd do it in a light sprinkle.

TwT · April 02, 2007, 11:51:55 PM

I would install also, but a light mist of 1-1 sugar water (or less sugar)would be great!!!! but only a light mist if any... if not check the feeders can and see if it sloshes, if there is feed a package can stay inside your house for a week and more most times more before installing...

nepenthes · April 03, 2007, 12:12:14 AM

Thanks guys!

KONASDAD · April 03, 2007, 11:05:56 AM

If you get ABJ, february's mag has an article on installing in 22F weather in Maine I believe. They put newspaper laid flat above bees on frames so bees didn't have to heat entire hive. Perhapsd a nuc would be best to start a package in cold weather? Anyways, best of look tomorrow. You have had a very hard winter, and I hope this new endeavor will be a fulfilling one. I know you will be thrilled the first day they start to wok, and you will stand there in amazement at the little things they do. You will rejoice the first time they will have pollen sacks and return w/ a full load. All of it is fascinating to see up close. Enjoy!

Cindi · April 03, 2007, 11:28:09 AM

Cody, I am going with Konasdad. If you don't have a nuc sized box, (I don't know what size you have), give the bees only enough room that they can keep it warm.

For example, if you are using 10 frame Langstroth deep (that is what I use), take out three or 4 frames and fill that empty space with something to keep the warmth from the colony intact. If you did this you may need some kind of divider board so the paper doesn't come in contact with the frame (styrofoam works). You could put newspaper all crumpled up, straw, (anything that insulates) for example, these make great insulation (providing it doesn't get wet).

Remember to have an open slot on the top for ventilation. Quite often the inner cover has a slot already present. Just my 2 cents, hope you can get all information required and make a good decision. Best of the day to you, and good luck. Cindi

There is so much to learn, so much advice, it may be overwhelming at times.

Kathyp · April 03, 2007, 06:58:22 PM

i installed in that kind of weather last year. light rain. temp in the 40's. i used a 10 frame deep, put the board in the bottom so that wind didn't blow in and used and entrance reducer (stick) to keep the weather out. fed them lots and left them alone until it warmed up about a week later. when i finally checked, they'd been hard at work and none the worse for the weather.

nepenthes · April 03, 2007, 07:37:41 PM

Well, I have a Top Feeder, should i use a super to cover it instead of a deep? As for the 4 pound package, I'm physicked and frustrated, My mom wanted to move them like 10 feet back, and now I have to trim a bunch of shrubs and things often to keep their space theirs. And she did with out my consent, i mean yea i know she helped pay for allot of the stuff, but shes not the one taking care of them. :-x I just wish I had the old house to put the bee's then they could go where ever. :-\

Thanks for all the advice guys.

MrILoveTheAnts · April 04, 2007, 01:31:31 AM

Good Luck ;)

Cindi · April 04, 2007, 10:34:59 AM

Cody, awe, one day you will have a house where you can put the bees anywhere you like. But good things take time. We all know that. Your Mum is just trying to get you to build up muscles by working hard. Think of those rippling biceps, you will be forever more grateful for that day when she made you work and trim back those trees (LOL). YOu have a great day, buddy, and enjoy your bees, you are in for a new world of love and experience. Have the best day, brother. Cindi

nepenthes · April 04, 2007, 12:55:32 PM

Thanks guys, It was trying to SNOW. Im sure a hand full of bee's didnt make it cause the decided not to go into the hive when i was dumping them in. I didnt wear a suit cause It was so cold they couldn't fly. (though I saws 2-3 bee's flying after i closed up the hives.) All in all, it was kind of depressing putting the bee's into the hive cold. :-\

Cheers My mom took pictures ill have to post some and the video.

Kathyp · April 04, 2007, 01:14:31 PM

QuoteThink of those rippling biceps

:-) you get for free what we pay for with a club membership!

i remember my kids complaining about cleaning stalls and pulling fence. they swore they'd live in a city condo when they grew up. now they both wish for the day that they can get out of the city and back to the country. my youngest leave for his first cruise on tuesday. he says it will be hardest to be away from trees and grass for all those months.....

cody, congrats on your bees. they'll be fine. you are reaching your goals even if you are not doing it exactly the way you thought you would. it's the goal that counts, not the road to it :-)

Cindi · April 05, 2007, 10:23:33 AM

Cody, hang on, all will be well, the weather will soon be nice. Yeah!!!!! And you will have wonderful experiences with all your bees, just hold on!!!!

Kathy, the country kids are dooomed!!!! It doesn't matter how much they want to be the city kid, if they are raised country and taught country living work, they will return eventually to that lifestyle. They will be assimilated. I have heard people speak of this time and time again. How the young hate to do the work on the farm. But when they grow up, they return to the grass and the trees. Sometimes it takes maturity to realize the health benefits of the country.

My oldest daughter is a prime example. She was the prisiest thing that you had ever seen, had to have the best cars, the best clothes, the cutest guys!!!! NOw she still has all this, but she is a farm girl now and has a farm of her own. It makes me laugh. Her prissy side is when she is dressed up to go out with her husband, but she is the dirty hands, dirty knees, hair full of hay, smellin' of horse sweat, barrel racing with her quarter horse, messy old farm girl....ha, ha. Guess she got stuck in the farm mud too many times when she was a kid and it is in her blood. Have the best of this beautiful day. Cindi

Sean Kelly · April 05, 2007, 10:42:19 AM

Quote from: Cindi on April 05, 2007, 10:23:33 AM
Kathy, the country kids are dooomed!!!! It doesn't matter how much they want to be the city kid, if they are raised country and taught country living work, they will return eventually to that lifestyle. They will be assimilated. I have heard people speak of this time and time again. How the young hate to do the work on the farm. But when they grow up, they return to the grass and the trees. Sometimes it takes maturity to realize the health benefits of the country.

Cindi is sooooo right. I fell into the same pattern. Graduated high school and first thing I did was get Microsoft certified and ran from the hills of Washington and moved myself right into the heart of the city to be a computer tech nerd. Got married to a city girl and had a city baby. But you know, like the old saying, "You can take a boy from the country but you can't take the country from the boy." After one gunshot too many in my neighboorhood from local gangs, we decided to move back to the hills where gunshots mean't hunting season. My wife has been having trouble adjusting, but I'm very glad my daughter will get to grow up a country girl.

reinbeau · April 05, 2007, 02:59:43 PM

My eldest (26) lives in Boston/Brighton and tells me he loves the city. He's been up there for three years. He can't imagine why I dislike it so. While I don't like to visit up there, I don't begrudge him his time, I'm sure he will want out sooner rather than later (although is girlfriend is a real city chick, she's the reason he's in there, she hates it around here....she's young yet, too).

nepenthes · April 05, 2007, 11:00:12 PM

:-\ I MIGHT have lost a hive. I couldn't tell I know Russians cluster small, but I didn't see a single Bee alive in the Russian hive, Could they have died on the outskirts so thick that they are clustering under neath? Kind of like using the dead bee's as insulation?

I hate this %$^! weather.

Kathyp · April 05, 2007, 11:02:57 PM

kind of bad weather where you are.

not sure i'd even be checking them until it warms up. if they have enough food, there isn't much else you can do except let the heat out.

it will get better soon. then you will complain about the heat! :-)