Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: OzBuzz on April 12, 2010, 12:32:49 am

Title: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: OzBuzz on April 12, 2010, 12:32:49 am

What is the minimum temperature you guys would open your hive at? is 20oC too low?

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: philinacoma on April 12, 2010, 01:09:39 am

Not if it is sunny and no wind. I've had it suggested to me that as long as it is t-shirt weather. (today aint it)

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: OzBuzz on April 12, 2010, 02:04:10 am

Ok... i like the t-short analogy.

What about to take the lid off and throw a medium box on?

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: OzBuzz on April 12, 2010, 07:36:51 pm

I'm going to wait for friday when it's supposed to be 25oC

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: iddee on April 14, 2010, 11:01:03 pm

No wind, and sunny, you can quickly add a super at 7 C. 45 F.

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: philinacoma on April 15, 2010, 03:49:20 am

7deg is a bit cold for even me to put on a t-shirt!

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: Geoff on April 15, 2010, 06:25:29 am

          It's time to go OzBuzz. 19 today in Gippsland and plenty of bees out flying. Climbing to over 25 the next few days so this could be the last throw of the dice before real winter.
          I will be going in the hives some time tomorrow. Have been working on the hives when a lot colder than now, mostly just to have a quick look or change a lid. After this burst of weather I will probably put entrance reducers on all the hives.

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: OzBuzz on April 15, 2010, 07:50:16 pm

Quote from: Geoff on April 15, 2010, 06:25:29 am

         It's time to go OzBuzz. 19 today in Gippsland and plenty of bees out flying. Climbing to over 25 the next few days so this could be the last throw of the dice before real winter.
          I will be going in the hives some time tomorrow. Have been working on the hives when a lot colder than now, mostly just to have a quick look or change a lid. After this burst of weather I will probably put entrance reducers on all the hives.

Yep, i'm with you Geoff... it's going to be 26 in Melbourne today so i'm going to open mine up after work tonight... 26 tomorrow too so should be a good weekend and should see plenty of hive activity.

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: iddee on April 15, 2010, 09:29:52 pm

T-shirt weather for pulling frames. 7 C. for adding a super only. 4 seconds at most.

Title: Re: Minimum temperature for opening hive
Post by: philinacoma on April 15, 2010, 09:41:51 pm

I get home too late after work. Tomorrow looks good for me.  I have a date with some really nice Italian girls!  ;)