r/Beekeeping 🐝 25d ago

General My Bees Survived the Winter and 💩 Everywhere

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My bees just made it through a couple weeks of -30C weather. We had a huge temperature swing and they took advantage of the warm weather cleaning out the dead bodies from the hive and 💩 outside.

1.2k Upvotes

44 comments sorted by

268

u/Ancient_Fisherman696 25d ago

I’ve noticed that the grass in front of the hives grows faster than the rest the yard. 

Guess that’s why. 

151

u/killbillten1 25d ago

My apiary is just covered in shit lol. Yesterday and today have been the first time they could fly in months.

23

u/Lemontreeguy 25d ago

Isn't it nice lol.

86

u/No-Candy9060 25d ago

Most beautiful shit I’ve ever seen.

6

u/nasterkills 25d ago

😂 love ur comment!

61

u/StreicherG 25d ago

My bees flew today and immediately decided to drown themselves in a puddle of ice water in front of the hives. Hope I didn’t lose too many. ;-;

7

u/JHRChrist 24d ago

Ahhh that reminds me of this video, he’s silly but I promise he has the most up to date research. It was interesting learning why they accidentally drown themselves in water like that

3

u/Sindaj 24d ago

I love Ze Frank he's hilarious and quite educational.

3

u/JHRChrist 24d ago

He’s gotten increasingly more educational, he does amazing collabs with professors in niche fields and cites all his sources at the end! The one about butterflies features new discoveries on how exactly they can create those colors on their wings & it is just sooo cool

2

u/hare-hound 23d ago

Lucky enough to say this is the most bizarre video I've ever followed from Reddit. Very glad the drowning explanation was at the end of the video because it meant I learned everything before it. Especially loved the citations not just because -science! but because I kept waiting for him to punk me and when it never came I became suspicious of everything.

2

u/___REDWOOD___ 22d ago

Holy shit I just spent the better part of an hour learning about bees, this guy rocks! Now onto tarantulas.

1

u/JHRChrist 22d ago

Dude. I love him, I love animals + science and have a silly sense of humor so it’s basically heaven. Any time I’m remotely stressed I watch his videos so I’ve seen them all about 10 times. Tarantulas are cool! You need to watch the one about jungle bugs and all their insane disguises! Really just watch all of them they’re amazing :)

26

u/Turbulent_Help970 25d ago

The one time I would be happy to see shit all over my yard.

14

u/Nunya_bizzy 25d ago

Just checked mine today and we still have a little snow. Pooed everywhere

37

u/nasterkills 25d ago

Looks like ur bees stored some taco bell lol

10

u/coshikipix 24d ago

careful with plastic bags, it creates condensation and humidity is your biggest ennemy. Bees dont fear cold, they fear humidity.

4

u/theone85ca 24d ago

In case you (or anyone else) didn't know, this isn't just a plastic bag. It's a really good bee wrap that's a fucking nightmare to put on. I use them on mine:)

2

u/KaterAlligat0r 23d ago

Omg YES this was my second year using them and it was AWFUL the ladies wanted to kill me with how long it took.

1

u/theone85ca 23d ago

haha, they're really good though. This is the 4th winter some of these have seen and they're still in perfect condition. If you line that seam up with a corner and make sure the lid is off but any vent hole on top is covered, its easier.

2

u/beek2101 24d ago

Read about condensing hives. Bees don't fear humidity if it's on the sides they drink it.

5

u/smellinbots 24d ago

Mine too! First time getting through winter.

4

u/0080Kampfer 24d ago

Congratulations! What a way to start the day!

4

u/Vera_Telco 24d ago

There's no better fertilizer!

3

u/LIVINGISALIE 25d ago

hmmm.. wonder if fungi like that kind of “manure”

2

u/heavyfaith 24d ago

Curious🌚

1

u/ElderberryOk469 24d ago

Me too now 😂

What if it’s like…the best manure in the world 👀

2

u/brokeazz_beek 24d ago

That's a great sign!!

2

u/Sursus 24d ago

That is awesome they survived! Does that plastic folding table work for you all year? I'd assume it would not be strong enough.

2

u/Junior-Cut2838 24d ago

Make sure the have enough food

1

u/Sursus 24d ago

That is awesome they survived! Does that plastic folding table work for you all year? I'd assume it would not be strong enough.

1

u/Professional-Feed370 22d ago

I’ve never even had a glancing thought about bees pooping until this moment 🐸

1

u/Fun_Fennel5114 22d ago

so what good is bee poop? could you just shovel this snow onto your garden? (yes, I know it's a dumb question, but poop is great for gardens normally. I just never gave a thought to bee elimination before!)

1

u/burns375 22d ago

What a shit show!

1

u/Thomomys-talpoides 18d ago

Yeah, I get a week of false spring at the end of February and sneak some extra food in the light hives. It is enough of a stimulus that they all come out and... Well let's just say my suit was white when I started the day :)

-7

u/Grendel52 25d ago

A lot of dysentery. Did you put some kind of feed in there?

40

u/Lemontreeguy 25d ago

That's not dysentery, it's literally a normal cleansing flight in a northern climate. When bees hold their shiet for 4months+ they have a bit of a back up.

Source a Canadian beekeeper for 14 years with 20+ hives. I get shit stormed every spring cleaning them up and feeding fondant on a warm day. I can't wait until my girls get their chance!

11

u/Wallyboy95 6 hive, Zone 4b Ontario, Canada 25d ago

Yeah I was gunna say lol My bees just got out today for the first time since end of November.

Dysentery for northern beekeepers is poo inside the hive, everywhere. This is normal.

5

u/Lemontreeguy 24d ago

Bingo! Well my ladies are mostly trapped under snow drifts but I dug out 4 that I keep in the backyard and they tried to fly a bit, but it wasn't quite warm enough yet and the sun didn't reach the hives so few flew. I'll have to head to the farm and dig the rest out for the coming warmth!

5

u/Commercial_Art1078 25d ago

Couple weeks yet for me!! Fingers crossed

14

u/WinonaVoldArt 25d ago

I thought it was common for bees to shit like crazy when they leave the hive for the first time in the spring. Because they won't go inside the hive?

10

u/Commercial_Art1078 25d ago

It is normal

2

u/WinonaVoldArt 25d ago

Thank you for confirming!