Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the rest—turn the inner cover so the flat side is up. Then, between the inner cover and
the edge of the top super, place a pencil or any block of material that raises the inner
cover
⅜
″ (1 cm). Replace the inner cover and the cover over that when complete. Add
a brick to hold the cover in place if winter winds tend to be blustery.
This pencil or small block actually serves two purposes. It allows the warm, moist
air to rise and escape, leaving the colony dry. It also provides an entrance should snow-
drifts cover the front door. Snow doesn't impede airflow into the colony but it will pre-
vent bees from leaving to make cleansing flights.
If you haven't already, now is the time to tilt your colony forward just a bit by raising
the back 1″ (2.5 cm) or so. A 1-inch (2.5 cm)-thick board (or something sturdy, dur-
able, and large enough to support the entire back of the bottom board) works well. The
colony should have this forward slant so that melting snow or winter rains don't run in-
to the colony and collect on the bottom board, adding to both ventilation problems and
the difficulty the bees will have keeping a soggy bottom board clean.
Cleansing Flights
In the colder regions, where snow cover is common, you will notice that on warm,
sunny days (here warm may mean only 30°F [-1°C]) after a spell of colder days or
snowy weather, bees will fly out for cleansing flights. Older bees, however, may
become chilled and not be able to return to the colony; they soon fall and die in
the snow. (Recall that bees require an air temperature of at least 50°F [10°C] to be
able to fly for any distance.) On such a day, you may discover droppings and dead
bees in the snow in front of the colony. This is normal and to be expected. The
dead bees are generally the oldest bees in the colony and would have died shortly,
even if they stayed inside. They often have a tracheal mite infestation—those bees
made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the colony.
This is the perfect time to check your records to make sure you haven't forgotten to
do anything and, even more importantly, to note what you have done. A general check-
list includes, but isn't limited to, the following items:
• Mouse guards in place
• Adequate stores
• All medications removed
• Grease patty in place
• Colony tilted
• Windbreak in place
