Hives in snow

[Perry]

There are 2 more hives at the end that are buried.



Found them. 







Another yard with 8 hives (4 bumps in the snow)! (+ 2 pallets with 12 nucs to the left).



I think there must be rabbits in the area, all kinds of tracks.





What I found at the honey house!
One of the neighbours went out of their way and used their snowblower to make a path for me to walk in from the road to the honey house and my row of hives. It was a nice surprise!  I see a bottle of mead in their future!





Getting tired of this already!

[Wandering Man]

Will the bees suffocate if you don't dig them out?

[Perry]

Not normally, but I usually just go around and knock a hole in the snow for fresh air to get in. Almost all the hives have an "igloo" of air space around them. Several years ago though, New Brunswick reported some serious losses after a snowstorm that was quickly followed by freezing rain. It actually formed a crust and hives did suffocate.

[DebNoble]

Pretty wild weather for sure! The hurricane-force winds down here on NS south shore had me worried that the covers would blow off but so far so good - just lots of deep drifts to wade through

[neillsayers]

Perry,

It's 60F here right now, but your pics have got me freezing. I gotta build a fire!

Thanks a lot!

[Perry]

Perry,

It's 60F here right now, but your pics have got me freezing. I gotta build a fire!

Thanks a lot!

You did have to throw that part in, didn't you?

[CBT]

What's that orange thing with the handle sticking out? ...just kidding

[Countryboyky]

What's that orange thing with the handle sticking out? ...just kidding

I think it is a snow gauge marker, looks like they got a dusting up there!!!     

[Perry]

I'm collecting names for all you comedians out there!

[neillsayers]

I'm collecting names for all you comedians out there!

Perry,

You seem like a nice enough fellow. You ought to consider moving to the south. No human is intended to live in that mess. We're kind of picky about Yankees but I think you'll fit right in.

[Wandering Man]

Perry,

You seem like a nice enough fellow. You ought to consider moving to the south. No human is intended to live in that mess. We're kind of picky about Yankees but I think you'll fit right in.

He's not a Yankee.  He's Canadian.  Very polite.  Very Cordial.  And would probably thaw out into a puddle of messy goo if he came down from the Frozen Wastelands of the North.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure I'd be frozen in place if I ventured that far North.

[LazyBkpr]

 And would probably thaw out into a puddle of messy goo



hahahah   A puddle with a knitted cap with ear flaps on it and a hive tool.

   My bees have been flying all winter..   One week they are flying, the next week it was 20 degrees, a week later it was 50 degrees... it has been mid 50's, and is now 60's an supposed to stay that way for a few days before getting COLD again for a short time...

   My first problem is.. the bees are RIPPING through their stores and sugar..  A sugar cake is lasting about eighteen days.. how long can they survive on sugar alone?
   Second problem...  Queens are laying..   I am a bit startled to open a hive to check it and find half the bees died trying to save the brood...   Why are they laying with no resources? Is the sugar they are eating on top making them think they have resources coming in?


   Wife reported that they got 40 inches of snow at her little camp...   I feel bad for her sitting out here on the deck in 62 degree temps in mid February with my Rum and coke.   

[Perry]

That's the one problem when emergency feeding, once you start you can't stop. They see the resources and start rearing brood.
I went to a couple more yards today and took a couple of pics. Most of my hives are like this.

[neillsayers]

He's not a Yankee.  He's Canadian.  Very polite.  Very Cordial.  And would probably thaw out into a puddle of messy goo if he came down from the Frozen Wastelands of the North.




On the other hand, I'm pretty sure I'd be frozen in place if I ventured that far North.

WM, I knew that. Was being facetious.

[Nugget Shooter]

  This is just amazing to me Perry and I have seen snow and 50 below wind chill growing up in IL and born in MI, but was in my late teens when I rode my Harley to AZ never to return. I did not ever think I may become a beekeeper and though we have common 115F days here what you good folks put up with in snow country blows me away, thanks for the great photos and sitting in the sun with fingers crossed for you.

[Perry]

I have grown up with this so I know no other way. I can tell you that 115 F would be the end of me. I know that it is probably a dry heat, but up here when temps hit 80 F with the humidity I suffer immensely. I slow down and feel like I am carrying a backpack. My t-shirts are drenched. (That said, don't stop posting warm pics for those of us up here to live vicariously through at this time of year.)

My hat is off to you folks that survive in those conditions, along with the bees that somehow manage as well.

[40 Acre Bees]

Like I always say:  Nova Scotia the East Coast of the world....  no other place I'd rather live.  Even though I do hate large copious amounts of snow.  My wife had to snow shoe up to check the hives on the hill behind the house.  The drifts are almost up to my chest and I'm 6 ft 4 in. 

[neillsayers]

Like I always say:  Nova Scotia the East Coast of the world....  no other place I'd rather live.  Even though I do hate large copious amounts of snow.  My wife had to snow shoe up to check the hives on the hill behind the house.  The drifts are almost up to my chest and I'm 6 ft 4 in. 

Okay, now you guys are just bragging!

[Zweefer]

Just wait neillsayers... soon they will be telling stories about how they have to walk it barefoot and how it is uphill both ways!

[neillsayers]

Just wait neillsayers... soon they will be telling stories about how they have to walk it barefoot and how it is uphill both ways!

Hey, I went to that school! Truly! Just ask my kids.