Author Topic: ice storms? (Read 2820 times)

Kathyp · « **on:** July 17, 2006, 08:05:10 pm »

i see you guys have brought up the storm question here. how about ice storms? we get really bad ones about every 3 years. we are due this year. i know the ice wouldn't hurt the outside of the hive, but if it were to seal the hive for a period of time, say overnight, would the bees be ok. how long does it take for a hive to suffocate?

any ideas about how you would keep some kind of air hole open? we can get 2 or 3 inches of ice in a very short amount of time. then snow usually falls on top of that...then more ice.....

Apis629 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:38:13 pm »

It's not safe to COMPLETELY seal a hive for any length greater than a minute or two. They NEED air! Given I don't get ice storms here...and I'm not entirely sure what one is, I'll leave that part to the northerners.

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2006, 12:17:34 am »

An ice storm can plug the entrance which can cut off the air supply if you are not using either a SBB or a ventilated top. The Ice storm will not plug up a SBB because the open area is below and protected from direct moisture by the hive. And no the open floor that a SBB represents will not cause the bees to freeze the heat will stay in the hive with the excess venting out the bottom, therby keeping the bottom open.

Kathyp · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2006, 11:28:23 am »

thanks. forgot about the open bottom. why did the SBB come with that slide in board if i'm never going to use it? :)

i am off to the bee store. also going to by slatted rack if they have one. we are headed for 100+ degrees this week. i hope this will help with ventilation on the top and discourage robbing? i have had some trouble with robbing but nothing big. don't want to make it worse.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2006, 11:22:19 pm »

> i know the ice wouldn't hurt the outside of the hive, but if it were to seal the hive for a period of time, say overnight, would the bees be ok. how long does it take for a hive to suffocate?

I've seen bottom entrances blocked by snow and ice. I've never had top entrances blocked. You need a top entnrace, even if it's a small one. I prefer it as the only entrance so I don't have to worry about the mice etc.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#topentrance
http://www.bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm