Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: FRAMEshift on February 24, 2011, 12:38:46 pm

Title: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: FRAMEshift on February 24, 2011, 12:38:46 pm

I've been told that you should not close up a hive for more than 1 day because nosema will explode.  The bees hold it in until they can make a cleansing flight.  But house bees don't ever go outside, so........?    

And those indoor bees make up the majority of the hive.  So don't they create a hygiene problem?

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: rdy-b on February 24, 2011, 02:54:02 pm

House bees go outside every day wheather permits-RDY-B

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: Scadsobees on February 24, 2011, 03:37:49 pm

I just figured that that was the reason I see so many bees hanging around brushing their teeth all day.   :shock:

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: Countryboy on February 24, 2011, 08:32:54 pm

Bees are often confined for weeks or months at a time in the winter.  Nosema does not explode after one day.

I suspect that house bees hold it until they do their first orientation flights. 

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: FRAMEshift on February 24, 2011, 10:35:36 pm

Quote from: Countryboy on February 24, 2011, 08:32:54 pm

Bees are often confined for weeks or months at a time in the winter.  Nosema does not explode after one day.

I suspect that house bees hold it until they do their first orientation flights. 

I thought orientation flights were taken by bees as they switch from being house bees to being guards/field bees.  Do I have that wrong?

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: hankdog1 on February 24, 2011, 10:54:28 pm

i put little bee tolets in my hives  :-D  the bad thing is getting them so little and the plumbing is a nightmare hehehehe

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: iddee on February 24, 2011, 11:21:22 pm

How does a mama dog keep her puppies' bed clean?
Now, what do you think house cleaning bees are there for?

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: FRAMEshift on February 25, 2011, 12:50:23 am

Quote from: iddee on February 24, 2011, 11:21:22 pm

How does a mama dog keep her puppies' bed clean?
Now, what do you think house cleaning bees are there for?

Ah, the art of Socratic questioning... at it's finest.  Thanks iddee.  :-D

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: Michael Bush on February 25, 2011, 11:59:59 pm

Bees in winter are sometimes confined as long as six months.  They do sometimes have problems, but usually not until six months...

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: Countryboy on February 26, 2011, 12:09:35 am

I thought orientation flights were taken by bees as they switch from being house bees to being guards/field bees.  Do I have that wrong?

Sounds about the right time for house bees to be taking a dump on their first orientation flights.  They don't spend a whole lot of time as house bees.

Title: Re: Where do house bees poop?
Post by: Finski on February 26, 2011, 01:35:07 am

.
3 days old bees know they hive place. They visit out quite early.
Depends on weather too.

During their first days bees eate huge amounts of pollen. Their organs frow after emerging.
They need to poo quite quickly. Pollen goes through their gut in 4 hours.