The bees are clustering to survive the northern winds

WINTER is definitely with us now. Very chilly northern winds bringing snow for some areas and frequent sub-zero temperatures for all of us.

All of my colonies have now settled into winter mode. Inspection of the underfloor debris collection trays shows very little content. This lack of bits and pieces in the trays signifies that the bees have now formed a cluster (ball) and very little activity is going on.

Now the cold is not a problem for the bees in their cluster format, they can contract or expand the cluster to initiate temperature control. They also have another method of temperature control by way of their flight muscles.

How do they do this? The wings of a bee are activated by muscles within the thorax; these muscles can be detached from the wings and are used to produce a shivering activity. This shivering produces heat! We humans also shiver to produce heat. When you emerge wet from your shower or bath evaporation of the water cools you down. You start to shiver! Your body is trying to warm up. So there we have it, our bees can handle the lower temperatures very well.

The beekeeper however must ensure that the hives containing the colonies are able to stand up to the vagaries of the winter weather. Dampness within a hive will allow moulds to form and the bees cannot control this. Mould forming on combs is not helping the winter survival options of our bees.

Will I have colony losses over this winter session? Without a doubt! I have one colony that is showing no debris at all in the underfloor tray, this could well mean that there are no live bees within this hive. One very noticeable item in the tray debris from several hives is Pollen Mites. How do they get there? Pollen Mites pose no threat to the bees; it is hive debris and pollen that they seek. These mites must be brought back by bees that have left the hive on foraging trips.

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