7 replies to this topic

[Mercutia]

I'm just curious because I don't know much about beekeeping, but with how cold it's been in North-Eastern NA, I wonder how beekeepers are dealing with it. After that huge ice storm that hit Toronto along with the sever arctic chill warnings we've been getting how many colonies have died? Just wondering how any bee colony can survive these conditions right now. (-24C, feels like -30 to -40C)

[Crystals]

Probably depends how well the owners winterized the hives.

 

The hives up here are wrapped in a special insulation and they survive -45C temperature with minimal losses.

But when you think about it, bees aren't exactly well adapted to very cold climates.

[Mercutia]

I'm starting to wonder how many colonies have died from freezing in our area just because it doesn't usually get this cold for this long so I don't think a lot of beekeepers were expecting it. It's starting to feel like a prairie winter.

[dspdrew]

78 degrees F (25.5 C) down here.

[Crystals]

I'm starting to wonder how many colonies have died from freezing in our area just because it doesn't usually get this cold for this long so I don't think a lot of beekeepers were expecting it. It's starting to feel like a prairie winter.

Haha, Come on Mercutia. 

You are still nowhere near as cold as my location in northern Alberta!  We had -38C yesterday, and that is the temp without windchill! 

[Mercutia]

LOL, I'm never moving to Alberta. I've decided. xD

[nepenthes]

They insulate them, Like Crystals says. They have them up in Alaska even, as long as they have enough stores, and sometimes they even need feed! 

(its been a while just popping in!)
-nepenthes

[dspdrew]

(its been a while just popping in!)
-nepenthes

Hey, glad to see you're still alive. I though you might have gotten eaten by one of your critters.