Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: 1frozenhillbilly on February 04, 2009, 05:10:30 pm

Title: either i'm confused or somebody's hive is
Post by: 1frozenhillbilly on February 04, 2009, 05:10:30 pm

ok so it is the 4th of feb.  both yesterday and today i saw honey bees  what up with that,  i grant it has been in the fortys the last 2 afternoons(wierd year)  but nothing is blooming yet that i have seen.

Title: Re: either i'm confused or somebody's hive is
Post by: WhipCityBeeMan on February 04, 2009, 05:14:17 pm

When the temperature is warm enough the bees will go on cleansing flights. The bees wont defecate in the hive so these cleansing flights  are important.   

Title: Re: either i'm confused or somebody's hive is
Post by: 1frozenhillbilly on February 04, 2009, 06:40:01 pm

interesting i didn't know that

Title: Re: either i'm confused or somebody's hive is
Post by: Brian D. Bray on February 04, 2009, 11:22:36 pm

Quote from: WhipCityBeeMan on February 04, 2009, 05:14:17 pm

When the temperature is warm enough the bees will go on cleansing flights. The bees wont defecate in the hive so these cleansing flights  are important.   

Also at this time of year there are hazelnuts (filberts), kitty willows, crocus and a few other things to forage on.  Late winter and early spring is heavy with pollen producers so the bees can gather the needed stores to begin brood production and population expansion.  So when the weather breaks the bees are doing more than just cleansing flights.  If you watch you hive entrance for a while when the bees are flying, even in 40 degree weather you should see some pollen being brought back to the hive.