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jnickison1 Guard Bee
Joined: 20 Mar 2016 Posts: 69 Location: USA, Michigan, Mecosta.
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 8:27 pm Post subject: bees resting and/or dying? |
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Hello, I am 10 days into two new hTBH. Bees are very busy in both hives bringing pollen etc in. In my daily observation I have noted 2-4 bees per hive alive and seemingly exploring the ground some 16 inches below the entrance holes. In addition, I have noticed 3-4 dead bees (total over the ten days) on the floor below the entrance holes. Are these experiences normal; are the bees exploring the ground below the hives; are they resting and tired; and are the deaths just normal attrition?
Thanks,
John |
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BridgetB Scout Bee
Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Posts: 358 Location: UK Cornwall, Falmouth
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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Yes - normal. I have often seen bees arrive back, miss the entrance, land on the ground and after a little rest, fly up to the entrance. Older bees also that don't make it back in to the entrance may die there in front of the hive. 3 - 4 dead bees in 10 days is fine. If you were talking about bigger numbers, that would be different. |
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Quality Top Bar Hives by Andrew Vidler
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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)
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