Comments on: Bees and Edible Fungus http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2009/08/bees-and-edible-fungus/ Not your typical birder! Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:14:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kathy http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2009/08/bees-and-edible-fungus/comment-page-1/#comment-12150 Kathy Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:48:42 +0000 http://www.birdchick.com/wp/?p=3723#comment-12150 I believe your hives are in full sun - it also does not appear that there are entrance holes in your deeps. When I see bees hanging out on the outsides of a hive, my first thought is that it is too hot inside the hive. Even though it hasn't been very warm this summer, it is possible the hive was too warm? If it is too hot inside the hive, brood won't develop properly and the bees will abscond. I always make sure the second deep has a 1" dia. hole in it to help the stack keep cool if need be. I have also been wondering lately what role being out of level may have on a hive - in a cavity nest, the combs will hang perpendicular to the ground, not parallel to the trunk - how frustrating, then, if your only substrate for building is a rigid sheet of foundation that is slightly off level. At the very least, it may be responsible for the construction of "feral comb" from the face of the foundation. At worst, tempermental bees may leave. A new WI friend got Russians from an Iowa breeder this year - they are doing well. Give a call if you want the contact information! I believe your hives are in full sun – it also does not appear that there are entrance holes in your deeps. When I see bees hanging out on the outsides of a hive, my first thought is that it is too hot inside the hive. Even though it hasn’t been very warm this summer, it is possible the hive was too warm? If it is too hot inside the hive, brood won’t develop properly and the bees will abscond. I always make sure the second deep has a 1″ dia. hole in it to help the stack keep cool if need be.

I have also been wondering lately what role being out of level may have on a hive – in a cavity nest, the combs will hang perpendicular to the ground, not parallel to the trunk – how frustrating, then, if your only substrate for building is a rigid sheet of foundation that is slightly off level. At the very least, it may be responsible for the construction of “feral comb” from the face of the foundation. At worst, tempermental bees may leave.

A new WI friend got Russians from an Iowa breeder this year – they are doing well. Give a call if you want the contact information!

]]> By: Joan from Virginia http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2009/08/bees-and-edible-fungus/comment-page-1/#comment-12135 Joan from Virginia Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:24:36 +0000 http://www.birdchick.com/wp/?p=3723#comment-12135 Great photos of your bee hives. My only hive appears to have a queen cell as well but not sure what to do about it either. Not sure I've seen that mushroom before. Great photos of your bee hives. My only hive appears to have a queen cell as well but not sure what to do about it either. Not sure I’ve seen that mushroom before.

]]> By: Claudia http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2009/08/bees-and-edible-fungus/comment-page-1/#comment-12134 Claudia Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:13:25 +0000 http://www.birdchick.com/wp/?p=3723#comment-12134 A cute homemade video on honeybees and the challenges they face at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-freeman/where-my-bees-at-five-bro_b_270589.html A cute homemade video on honeybees and the challenges they face at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-freeman/where-my-bees-at-five-bro_b_270589.html

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