Cluster questions

[randydrivesabus]

at what outside temperature will bees decide to cluster? will they decluster if theres a warm spell? if they are out taking cleansing flights have they broken the cluster? does anyone know the cluster trigger?

[Michael Bush]

Most people say 50 F.  I've seen mine flying at 45F.  But it would be somewhere in that range probably dependant on other things like sunshine, wind, humidity etc.

[Cindi]

randydrivesabus.  Yes, the bees will decluster when they feel the temperatues will allow this.  They know what to do.  During a nice warm day in particular, they will take a short cleansing flight.

There has been talk about wrapping hives in some of the forum posts.  But there is concern about this because the bees may get too warrm, venture outside because they think it is warm enough to go out, get chilled; and then cannot return to their home because they cannot move.

On a warm day, the cleansing flights are very short.  Have a wonderful day, greatest of life.  Cindi

[Michael Bush]

I used to worry about them being too warm and flying out, but after having an observation hive in the house, I don't worry about that anymore.  They have better sense.  Some always fly out to die.  Either they are old bees saving the other bees the trouble of taking them out, or they are too stupid to know better.  I'm not sure which, but I don't see any more or less of them based on the temperature the hive is kept.

[randydrivesabus]

so it seems that leaving a medium box with some honey in it over the rest of the hive can be beneficial to the bees during the winter since they can retrieve the honey if necessary. it seems that winters are not nearly as severe as they used to be around here.