wax deposits at hive entrance

Shop deals on ebay
shop deals on amazon
BS Honey Bees
Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum

Help Support Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
T

Tom Bick

Guest
Visited one of my apiaries just checking and I spotted the wax debris at the entrance to one of those ugly plastic monstrosities that I have the pleasure of sharing an apiary with. I am thinking the wax deposits are as a result of been robbed out and interesting to know your thoughts.
 
Last night I was compiling quiz questions. One of the questions was, "You see comb outside the entrance - what could be the problem? Answer: A mouse has entered the hive .. Reference H Storch, At the Hive Entrance, page 8.

Just a thought.
 
busybee53 said:
Last night I was compiling quiz questions. One of the questions was, "You see comb outside the entrance - what could be the problem? Answer: A mouse has entered the hive .. Reference H Storch, At the Hive Entrance, page 8.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

The mouseguard is not in place in the photo!
 
I love that book, Storch I mean, but I have a question. Why would cappings be on the landing board if it was a mouse? Surely they'd just drop down through the OMF the same as if the bees had uncapped the stores.
 
Could be a mouse. These beekeepers also have a poly hive on site and I know they are light but I am thinking of placing a couple of bricks on the lid it's so light.
 
Tom Bick said:
I am thinking the wax deposits are as a result of been robbed out and interesting to know your thoughts.
Click to expand...

I see plenty of small wax deposits/cappings out the front of our hives, especially when it warms up briefly in between periods of cold weather, and the bees are having a tidy up.

Usually if a mouse gets into a hive most of the wax seen out front is in quite large chunks.
 
Hivemaker. said:
I see plenty of small wax deposits/cappings out the front of our hives, especially when it warms up briefly in between periods of cold weather, and the bees are having a tidy up.

Usually if a mouse gets into a hive most of the wax seen out front is in quite large chunks.
Click to expand...

Yes Pete but I think you have lots of solid floors and this hive is mesh. I had a look at the inspection tray and that was surprisingly clear so I don't think it's a mouse.
 
Agree with both Hivemaker and Erichalfbee.

The beekeeper may not be clever enough to keep the cluster away from the entrance - a fall of dead bees could easily block the entrance as there is a well, leading down to the entrance. Or perhaps they believe the manufacturer's claim that the hive is for two colonies?

As for 'ugly' - beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. They might just think it is beautiful and consider your hives as ordinary and boring! Live and let live, if you are sharing the apiary, I say.
 
The sharing is not mutual Rab I have no option they gave up on lessons from my association over a year ago after a couple of lessons, they run two different types of hive and frame size. I have offered help but they are happy to do their own thing. A third beekeeper on site has worked with me and their hive is perhaps the strongest on site. I have to say I suspect the hive was weak going into autumn with their other hive an unknown state but presently so light it's a worry and both their hives have four very strong fit and healthy neighbours.
 
Is it an under floor entrance? looks like one, in that case perfectly normal - the entrance is below the frames so when they incap stores some of the cappings will land in the lobby and be left there for ages. I have underfloor entrances on all mine and I see this often
 
Just looked at the website and it looks as though it could be described as an under floor entrance but don't know for sure.
 
Hi Tom et al,
I have seen bees removing wax flakes from one of my nucs (solid floor) and at the moment there is a little sprinkling on the York stones just outside the entrance. I have put it down to cleaning by house bees, as I have not found any evidence that bees recycle wax neither have I seen any evidence of robbing.
 
I have a picture somewhere, of a bee, her pollen baskets full of wax salvaged from supposedly cleaned frames drying in my greenhouse.
And no.......not propolis...... but wax
 
Erichalfbee said:
I have a picture somewhere, of a bee, her pollen baskets full of wax salvaged from supposedly cleaned frames drying in my greenhouse.
And no.......not propolis...... but wax
Click to expand...

Hi ErichA,
I should clarify that I have only seen wax being removed by mouth parts not stuffed in their baskets. I have also been told that a beek left a thick layer of wax at the bottom of his hives, because he said they recycle it. Wax moth more like was my thoughts at the time. So if we can agree that it is wax in the baskets that would be a start!
 
beeno said:
Hi ErichA,
I should clarify that I have only seen wax being removed by mouth parts not stuffed in their baskets. I have also been told that a beek left a thick layer of wax at the bottom of his hives, because he said they recycle it. Wax moth more like was my thoughts at the time. So if we can agree that it is wax in the baskets that would be a start!
Click to expand...

Are we not better cleaning bits of wax out, after all there will also be varroa amongst it & if bees go amongst it to recycle it, will they not also pick up these varroa as passengers?
 
Tom Bick said:
The sharing is not mutual Rab I have no option they gave up on lessons from my association over a year ago after a couple of lessons, they run two different types of hive and frame size. I have offered help but they are happy to do their own thing. A third beekeeper on site has worked with me and their hive is perhaps the strongest on site. I have to say I suspect the hive was weak going into autumn with their other hive an unknown state but presently so light it's a worry and both their hives have four very strong fit and healthy neighbours.
Click to expand...

Tom: you're not giving the impression that you want this not to be a sign of trouble, if you see what I mean. Why should the colony not be above the under-floor entrance?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Lolly Bee
Advice please if you can
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Lolly Bee
Lolly Bee
D
Small-scale beekeeping & economic feasibility
Replies
11
Views
1K
madasafish
madasafish
Rory Fields
Overwintering demarees?
Replies
13
Views
1K
Curly green finger's
Curly green finger's
D
Advice for re-queening and aggressive hive
2 3
Replies
50
Views
4K
jenkinsbrynmair
jenkinsbrynmair
DonkeyDonz
Loss of Two Hive Apiary
Replies
12
Views
1K
ericbeaumont
ericbeaumont

Latest posts

Back
Top