View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
jetam Nurse Bee

Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Slovakia/Prievrana
|
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:40 am Post subject: warm winter in Slovakia |
|
|
I am a bit worried, because bees in Slovakia started to fly. Winter should be until 21.3. Next weekend weather forecast says 15°C.  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Barbara Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Posts: 1857 Location: England/Co.Durham/Ebchester
|
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi
I'm tempted to say "lucky you!", but the worry will be that it will only be a temporary blip and cold weather will come back in. If you are concerned and you have the opportunity, it might be worth checking their stores situation if the weather is that mild and top up if necessary. I'm not a fan of opening hives in winter but those temperatures are Springtime levels, so might be a useful chance to check how they are doing.
It has been a relatively mild winter here so far with only a couple of very light frosts but lots of rain and wind... thankfully so far we have not had any where near as much rain and flooding as the south of England and I have to keep reminding myself how lucky we have been, whilst I am trudging through the mud at my stable yard each day.
Best wishes
Barbara |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
zaunreiter Moderator Bee

Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 3097 Location: Germany, NorthWest
|
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Bees never really stopped to fly here in the Northwest of Germany. The bees use a lot of food and this makes me worrying since the have a lot of brood, and there is not much forage outside. Just pollen here and there.
I reckon a many hives will starve. From what the longterm forecast says, there will be not much of a winter. So other than last year where we had a late cold spell, this year the autumn continues until Spring.
We'll see what the bees make of it and how they cope with such a situation. Watch the food reserves of your hives, if your local climate is as warm as is here right now. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK FORUM MEMBERS - Buy your protective clothing here and get a special 15% discount! (use the code BAREFOOTBEEKEEPER at checkout and be sure to 'update basket')
Are the big energy companies bleeding you dry?
Is way too much of your hard-earned family income going up in smoke?
Are you worried about what could happen if the ageing grid system fails?
You need to watch this short video NOW to find out how YOU can cut your energy bills TO THE BONE within 30 days!
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
|
Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
|
|
|
Barefoot Beekeeper Podcast
|
|
|
|
4th Edition paperback now available from Lulu.com
|
site map
php. BB © 2001, 2005 php. BB Group
View topic - warm winter in Slovakia - Natural Beekeeping Network Forum
|
|