Just for fun - saw the bees doing something strange today. I thought it might be fun for people to guess what it was 
Red
Red
What are our bees up to?
- Thread starter British Red
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Can't really see from the photo, was it the figure of 8 dance indicating a nectar source ? or ventilating the hive maybe ? fighting off an invading swarm ? setting up a picket line as they don't like their new working conditions ?
None of the above - the dance referred to is the "waggle dance" - an amazing thing but not this - the spots on the alighting board are bee poo
The weird thing is happening dead centre at the block (hive door)
The weird thing is happening dead centre at the block (hive door)
It looks like they are manhandling a piece of medium grade sandpaper through the door
Exactly that John - have a cigar!
Here it was four days ago
Thymol in place by British Red, on Flickr
In four days they have disassembled it, moved it down through the frames and out the "front door"
Now given that a hundred bees could stand on that paper, I find that shows an amazing co-operation and "purpose" that speaks of both planning and "teamwork"
Here it was four days ago
Thymol in place by British Red, on Flickr
In four days they have disassembled it, moved it down through the frames and out the "front door"
Now given that a hundred bees could stand on that paper, I find that shows an amazing co-operation and "purpose" that speaks of both planning and "teamwork"
Indeed. I subscribe to the view that many insect colonies are not a collection of individual creatures but a single "being" - a "hive mind".
resnikov
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Is it hard to keep bees? I like the idea of having them but not a clue what's involved.
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We are a couple of weeks in mate - so far, no not hard as such. Like all living things you need to understand a bit about them, what they need and how to care for them. There is a fear factor perhaps with the sting aspect - but we soon got over that
There is a thread here showing how we have got on
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95267
I'm sure your local beekeeping association will run an introductory course cheaply (ours did just down the road too).
Red
There is a thread here showing how we have got on
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95267
I'm sure your local beekeeping association will run an introductory course cheaply (ours did just down the road too
). Red
resnikov
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Cool cheers for the information. Wife has gotten hens in the last few months so for now we are going to stop at them but in a few years I would like bees, so got time to learn and read up.
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Its to put a herbal based treatment into the hive to kill Varroa mites...but it smells and the bees don't like it much
We are a couple of weeks in mate - so far, no not hard as such. Like all living things you need to understand a bit about them, what they need and how to care for them. There is a fear factor perhaps with the sting aspect - but we soon got over that
There is a thread here showing how we have got on
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95267
I'm sure your local beekeeping association will run an introductory course cheaply (ours did just down the road too
Red
I suspect that the hardest thing is finding a knowledgable and trustworthy surrogate to take your place when you need or want a vacation. Same problem as with any livestock (or even pets) really; you're just somewhat tied down. Although some livestock and pets are easier than others as they might be self supporting for a weekend's time.
Fascinating!
My Dad and I are hoping to get our first colony in the spring! Really looking forward to it.
i know what you mean about the fear thing, when we went to our first meeting to inspect some hives, took a few moments to get used to that amount of bees buzzing around, but thet really are quite tolerant.
And the other day I found myself in the middle of a swarm and the Bees just weren't bothered by me at all!
Can' wait to get our own.
My Dad and I are hoping to get our first colony in the spring! Really looking forward to it.
i know what you mean about the fear thing, when we went to our first meeting to inspect some hives, took a few moments to get used to that amount of bees buzzing around, but thet really are quite tolerant.
And the other day I found myself in the middle of a swarm and the Bees just weren't bothered by me at all!
Can' wait to get our own.
I did not guess what the bees were up to, but on showing SHMBO this morning the picture she blurts out ( they are dragging something in or out of the hive) very interesting Red.
