Winter Check 2

Dec 24, 2009

Checked on the hive at the Peczuh Farm. Looks like the cows have been bumping into it. The corners of the corroplast roof were turned up and there were cow prints all around the hive. The cows aren't usually loose in this field - I might have to keep an eye on that. Couple of bees frozen in the snow outside. Gentle hum inside when I placed my ear up to the entrance hole.

Winter check

Had the chance to drop in on our house in Price today to do some repairs on the garage for the renters. I took along some corks to plug 2 of the entry holes. She was covered with snow. The roof seems to be holding up well.

Saw this little girl about 8 feet from the hive. Must have gone too far on her cleansing flight.

Apparently there was no need to bring the corks as the girls had plugged up the holes nicely themselves. I realize I should have done this a couple months ago before it got cold.  There are quite a few bits of wax cappings around the entrance holes and on the small landing board. I take this as a sign that they are uncapping their stores (or possibly hatching brood?). A few dead bees around the middle entrance (see middle hole in picture above.  I'm not sure what to make of that - perhaps it's just too cold for the house bees to properly clean them out.

Check out that reduced entrance. Makes me feel like they don't really need me at all (I think that's a good thing).