Disclaimer:

This blog explains how I keep bees. It works for me, it might not work for you. Use my methods at your own risk. Always wear protective clothing and use a smoker when working bees.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Cleansing flights

Today the warm temperatures will spur the bees to make cleansing flights. The bees will fly out and defecate and fly back into the hive. Many of the bees will flyout and drop in the snow and die. This activity is normal.
 Bees start winter with 50,000 bees and by late February are down to around 20,000 bees. So there is attrition over the winter.
This warm weather makes it easier for the bees to move around in the hive and reposition the cluster. Hopefully they will be ready for the cold blast coming late this afternoon.