Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[barshambees]

Hi, I wondered if someone could give me some advice as I am a novice.

The bees have been out several times this side of Christmas, but it was 10 deg C here yesterday and there were many more bees about. I still have the entrances at their smallest size and the bees were queing up to get back in.

My question is whether it is too early to open up the hive entrances to the full width or should I leave it to later in the spring. Its just that it looked like they could have done a lot more work yesterday if it were not for the traffic jam outside.

Thanks in advance

[Adam Rose]

I wouldn't reopen anything yet. A traffic jam is nothing to worry about. Bees in trees often have very small entrances and do fine.

Is your hive south facing ? Was the entrance in the sun at the time ?

How big has your entrance been through the winter ?

[barshambees]

Thanks for the quick reply Adam.

South facing, and whole hive was in direct sunlight. Entrance size roughly 50mm x 10mm currently.

Thanks again

[Barbara]

I agree with Adam. A queue is not a problem especially if the hive is south facing and in sun.
Don't be too keen for them to build up too quickly. I would bet that there will be more cold spells before winter is out and if they expand the brood nest too much now and then the weather closes in, there is more of a risk of starvation and brood getting chilled.
Better they build up slowly and steadily until temperatures are more
consistently warm.

[barshambees]

Thank you. Much appreciated. So much to learn ...