Cleaning the hive and winterizing it
This page is still under construction - we are adding photos
What you will learn here
- When to clean up after the season
- How to verify that a hive is empty
- How to read in a bumblebee's nest
- How to clean a scare
- How and where to clean up the mess
Contents
Introduction
When to clean and tidy up the hive/bumblebee
Before we get started
External inspection/inspection of
the hive
Hive attachment
Hive roof
Ventilation opening and protective grid
Protective flap and net
Entrance corridor
Hive walls/body
Internal inspection/inspection
Removing the lining from the nest
Using the lining next season
Removing the nest from the hive
Parasites in the nest
What happened in the nest during the season
Cleaning the hive
Flap and entrance
Entrance corridor (tube)
Internal surfaces of the hive
Sealing Ventilation
/covering grid
Disposal of nest remains Hive
repairs and modifications
Storing the hive/bumblebee hive for the winter
What to do with natural bumblebee nests
Conclusion
Introduction
At the beginning of autumn, the season is over for most bumblebee keepers . Some species of bumblebees still survive in their hives, but the end of September is the time to inspect the hive, clean it, and store it for the winter .
In addition to cleaning the hive, it is a time to reflect on what went well, what to do differently /better, and also to make repairs after the season is over.
When you add up all the work, it's a lot. But don't worry, it's worth it, and actually cleaning the hive and tidying up won't even take you an hour .
Enjoy this work and don't forget to read in the nest . You will learn a lot and maybe you will find answers to your questions about what happened in the nest and how it turned out. This inspection / inspection of the nest will probably answer your questions "What happened in the nest" and maybe help you understand why the nest turned out the way it did. The description of the last inspection partially overlaps with this chapter and complements it. You can find the description HERE
Although it is a text intended for experienced breeders, we highly recommend reading it.
Don't forget to taste the leftover bumblebee honey and make a small bumblebee honey trap.
So they are little bumblebee harvesters /pre-harvest bees. Or even " pre-harvest bees ".
Delivery:
If you have purchased a hive , we recommend that you look at the instructions and follow any specific manufacturer instructions . For example, modern hives with double walls may have specific recommendations for dismantling and maintaining certain parts that are not included in our general instructions.
A nest of bumblebees after the season
Photo O., Hercog 20/9/2020
When to clean and tidy up a beehive/bumblebee hive
There is no need to rush cleaning the hive . If it has not been attacked by parasites and the nest has raised new queens, it will gradually come to life. The workers can raise a few males from their eggs. However, the nest will gradually become quiet, see How it works in a bumblebee nest .
The males fly out and never return. However, the last workers , often only consuming leftover food.
the young mothers go out to find a place to hibernate. Before mating, they return to the nest between flights and feed there, not flying away. Sometimes, however, they wake up before winter return to their natal nest/hive to feed on leftover food of honey and pollen .
So there's no need to rush and clean up the mess prematurely.
However, if the nest in the hive has been destroyed by parasites, it is a good idea to clean the hive and not let them reproduce in the infected hive .
You can clean the hive and prepare it for the second generation queen to nest , or you can use it to save endangered bumblebee nests, see Bumblebee Rapid Rota .
Before we get started, make sure the scare is actually over
The first step is to make sure that there are no bumblebees left in the nest and that it is abandoned . Otherwise, the entire event needs to be postponed and the nest allowed to live.
As we wrote above, workers or young mothers may still return . The nest may contain the last surviving workers. Often, young mothers accelerate the demise of the nest by depriving it of the remaining supplies and the last workers of the flight are no longer able to carry food for the remaining workers in the nest. The nest will therefore easily disappear within 2-3 weeks after the departure of the mothers.
You can find out all this by observation , looking into the nest , or (just like in spring) by inserting a tag into the entrance hole . Learn more about tags HERE
If the tag is thrown away in the morning (try several days), the nest is still being used by . If the tag remains in place, open the hive in the evening after dark and carefully look inside the nest by spreading the lining.
If there are queens / workers , they will make a buzzing sound , often weak. In this case, postpone cleaning the hive and instead provide the bumblebees with a dose of wort in the feeder. You can read the feeder and the preparation of wort HERE .
But if the nest is really empty and autumn has arrived, there is nothing stopping us and we can start the culling!
The nest of the Humen bumblebee after the season
The nest is actually abandoned – there has been no movement in the nest for many days
Photo O., Hercog 20/9/2020
External inspection/inspection of the hive
First, we recommend that you carry out an external inspection of the hive and at the same time remember what you struggled with during the season and what would be a good idea to resolve before the start of the next season.
All experiences are valuable and will come in handy next season.
It's a good idea to do it now, because in the spring you'll have a lot of other work to do and you can forget about the experience and problems. We'll try to help you with guiding questions .
If something bothered you during the season, or you were missing something, go through the instructions for preparing the hive and the tricks , you can find everything on our website.
Good preparation will make your next season more successful. Remember, the next season begins when you clean the hive.
Hive location
- was it placed correctly?
- Was it not unnecessarily exposed to the sun, wind, or other weather conditions?
- Didn't the scare get too hot?
- weren't the hives too close together?
- Did you have the opportunity to inspect the hive – was it properly positioned and not too high to be able to look inside?
- Wouldn't it be appropriate to find a better location for your scare next season?
Read more about hive placement HERE
Attaching the hive
- Was the mounting suitable (feet, wall mount, stand, etc.)?
- Did the shell resist attacks by ants or woodworms?
- Was the attachment strong and durable enough even in the wind to prevent it from moving on its own?
Read more about attaching the hive HERE
Read more about ant protection HERE
Beehive roof
- didn't it leak into the nest?
- Was the roof on the hive body sealed?
- Has the roof covering become warped or damaged during the season?
- Did you distinguish the roofs of the hives by color?
Read more about the beehive roof HERE
Poor quality roof of a commercially available hive after one season
Source Internet
Poor quality roof of a commercially available hive after one season – leaks into the hive and the hive is leaky
Source Internet
Ventilation hole and protective grille
- Did the ventilation opening and closing function properly?
- Could the ventilation be regulated – control the size of the ventilation opening and close the ventilation?
- How did the ventilation grille and the protective net against the borer turn out – did the bumblebees not chew through them and did it prevent the borer from entering?
- Has a predator gotten into the space between the grids, or are their larvae/pupae hidden here and could overwinter there?
Read more about ventilation HERE
Hive ventilation - parasite eggs (here flies) laid on the mesh
of the ventilation hole
Photo O.Hercog 2018
Fly eggs laid in a sticky trap in a ventilation
hole
Photo O. Hercog
Protective flap and garlic
- In case of multiple hives in your garden – have you distinguished the hives by color (hives and roofs)?
- Was the protective flap functional and did it close properly and seal when closed?
- Could the flap be gradually closed and the mother/worker become accustomed to it?
- Does the flap show signs of wear?
- Was there any deformation of the wooden part?
- Did the flap jam when opening/closing?
- Was there excessive pollen loss on the flap?
Read more about the protective flap HERE
After removing the sidewall, it is noticeable that the flap is almost not touching the sidewall. This flap is not functional. Damage caused by moisture after one season.
Photo: K. Kučera
Entrance hall
- Was the hallway clogged?
- Was the inner diameter of the corridor used in the hive at least 18mm?
Read more about the entrance hall HERE
Hive walls/body
- Are the walls damaged or cracked (e.g. due to wood drying out)?
- Have there been any leaks during the season that need to be repaired (e.g. a fallen knot, a loose screw, wood rot)?
Internal inspection/check
Now it's time for an internal inspection and cleaning of the hive!
So let's take off its roof and take a look inside. You've probably done that, even when the hive was occupied, now it's safe, so enjoy it as a little adventure .
But now we can do it thoroughly, look into our pets' homes and see what's left of nothing.
Removing the lining from the nest
- remove all the lining until you uncover the masterpiece – the waxy structure of the nest.
- Follow the layers, you will see how the bumblebees adjusted their lining, how they layered it.
- You will gradually reach the wax ceiling of the nest , or directly onto the nest.
- Now you can see the nest and you can inspect it and document it – take a picture of it .
The nest looks empty – no bumblebees are calling and the nest has been empty for weeks.
Uncovering the nest - step by step
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
After the lining is gradually uncovered, the waxwork appears. The nest is empty and without reserves of honey and pollen. The mothers have fattened it up before hibernation, hastening the demise of the rest of the nest.
Uncovering the nest - step by step
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
An empty nest and lifeless, but it was strong and produced enough mothers.
Uncovering the nest - step by step
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
Mold appears on the empty cocoons. A parasite larva can be seen in the center of the photo.
Uncovering the nest - step by step
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
.
A nest of ground bumblebees after the season.
Although there is mold on the surface of the nest, the nest has thrived and produced queens.
Workers in a strong nest can clean the waxwork and a strong
nest thrives well
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
Using the liner next season
If you want to make it easier to populate your hive next season , use some of the clean lining from this season. It's a bit of work because you have to sanitize the lining = get rid of parasites and possibly germs.
Using the old liner on one side increases the chances of queen establishment the next season, but at the same time it carries the risk of transmitting diseases, parasites and mold . So if your hive is already scented with bumblebees and you don't want to risk anything, don't use the old liner and just use a new one .
Procedure:
- Carefully remove the lining from the hive.
- Set aside clean – free of nest residue and bumblebee feces/other debris.
- The lining may already be starting to mold or smell moldy . In that case, it's a good idea to just inspect the nest and discard the lining.
- However, if there are parts of the lining in the nest that are not clean and smell like bumblebees, they can be used.
- It is best to keep " curls clean . These are a good idea to use because they will smell good to the new queen when she is building a new nest, making it easier to build a new nest.
- The lining can hide pupated larvae of moths, flies, and moths Dust mites can also multiply there . Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly inspect, dry, and sanitize it before use.
Read more about lining sanitation HERE
When you are preparing the hive for the next season, just put a little fragrant sanitized lining in the center of the future nest . This is a much more reliable method than "scenting" the lining with the smell of mice, as you sometimes read somewhere.
Notice:
- If you want to keep some of the lining for the next season, sanitize it right away when cleaning and then again before preparing the hive .
- The lining can be left to freeze , but here you are not sure that parasites will not remain in it and attack the nest next year, heating above +60 degrees is safer than frost -20 degrees. Frost does not destroy microbes and neither does a temperature above 100 degrees.
- Heating the lining in a microwave oven for a few minutes effectively kills parasite larvae (they contain water), but does not reliably destroy microbes - if you have noticed a higher incidence of deformed wing disease (DWV) in the nest, sanitizing the lining in a microwave oven is not sufficient; use a new lining instead, or sanitize the lining in a hot air oven
- Boiling the lining is unnecessary work that will ruin the lining and remove what is interesting from it - the smell of a bumblebee nest.
Last year's lining - sanitation in the MW oven, too intensive heating.
The author's photo is not included at the request of his wife...
Removing the nest from the hive
Carefully remove the nest from the hive, trying not to break it, so that you can inspect it.
If you have purchased a bumblebee elevator, you can remove the nest very easily and with virtually no damage.
You can read about the bumblebee elevator HERE
Place the nest on a mat so that it does not fall apart and carefully clean it of any remaining lining with tweezers. You can see .
Bumblebees PLUS – Bumblebee Elevator – Cleaning the nest after the season
Photo: O. Hercog 9/2020
The base of the nest and the first wax cases and cocoons
Photo O. Hercog 8/2017
Parasites in the nest
Inspect the lining and then the hive . It is necessary to remove all parasites and their larvae/pupae . If you let parasites overwinter in the hive , they can multiply directly in the hive in the spring.
If the nest has been attacked by the parasitic wasp (Aphomia sociella) , you will find its cocooned larvae . However, you may not notice the attack unless you actively look for the wasp pupae – they are ingeniously hidden .
They are usually found near the ceiling of the nest (under the roof, under the ventilation) – stuck next to each other in a fibrous covering. But they can also hide elsewhere, for example, pupated at the bottom , in corrugated cardboard (which is why we do not recommend using it), or between the layers of paper that you lined the hive with in the spring. If you have polystyrene insulation , they can eat it and hide behind it or in it. Similarly, the wasp larvae can be hidden in the entrance hall and other parts of the hive, mainly in corners, behind the ventilation pipe.
Similarly, larvae of the parasitic beetle antherophagus nigricornis , or fly larvae / pulp will hide in the nesting material, or in the entrance tube, as will other parasites.
Notice:
We have come across a case where large numbers of Antherophagus nigricornis larvae have hidden in the polystyrene board/bottom of the hive. Therefore, we recommend throwing away the additional hive insulation after the season, or treating it well by heating it in a microwave oven.
mites in the nest , which will destroy food scraps and nests, or moth larvae/cocoons.
to remove and destroy all . Therefore, inspect the hive carefully and do not give parasites a chance to overwinter in it !
You can read more about parasites and enemies of bumblebees HERE
Parasite larvae hidden under the nest - antherophagus nigricornis
Photo by O. Hercog 9/20/2020
Larvae and pupae of the parasitic beetle antherophagus nigricornis
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
Caterpillars of the parasitic wasp are preparing to overwinter in fibrous casings behind chewed polystyrene boards
Photo O Hecog 20/9/2020
Caterpillars of the ectoparasitic worm in corrugated cardboard chambers
Fly pupae
Photo O. Hercog
Caterpillars of the ectoparasitic wasp hidden behind the ventilation in the hive
Photo O Hercog 9/2018
What happened in the nest during the season
Check out the construction of the nest and its remains . Also enjoy what the bumblebees built. In some cells you will find remains of honey . Don't be afraid to taste it - you will be surprised how good it is. You can also make a bumblebee honey trap, which I wrote about here on FB before.
Look at the nest new queens were born of large cocoons . You may find a large nest without large cocoons, then the queen probably only produced males and the workers continued to do so.
Save part of the nest for display – preferably in a mason jar and store in the refrigerator.
Check other parts of the nest as well. You may find the bodies of worker bees that remained in the nest, or the bald mother who founded the nest and then ended her life there.
A nest infested by a bee eater will be covered in threads that have prevented the movement of the workers. You will also find the bee eater's evil work in the form of eaten cells. You will also understand why it is practically impossible to remove the bee eater from the nest once it gets there.
You may also find pupae of parasitic flies or small mites... You may also see other insects that have entered the nest - in late summer, it could be wasps, for example.
"Reading from the nest" is interesting, you can learn more about his life, but also about his end..
You can find a detailed procedure for checking and reading from the nest HERE – we highly recommend reading it.
Part of the nest stored for display
This one performed in Dobrý rán 2020
Photo O. Hercog 8/2019
Hive cleaning and repairs
Dismantle all parts of the hive that need to be cleaned or that would hinder cleaning - protective flap, ventilation, entrance corridor, etc. and start cleaning.
Notice:
- Don't forget that the slats can be cleaned mechanically, thermally or with water - but always without chemicals!
Flap and inlet
Bumblebees will clog the entrance to the hive with dirt and pollen . All this dirt needs to be cleaned mechanically (e.g. with a brush, knife blade). Dirt can also be the boundary between the flap body and the hive body.
Procedure:
- Remove the anti-slip tape/velcro on the garlic and replace it with a new clean piece in the spring
- Clean the valve mechanically, but be careful, especially on the moving parts (valve).
- Wash the valve with water or alcohol to dissolve the wax.
- Warm water can also be used for cleaning, but the flap must then be dried well and left to dry so that it does not deform.
Repairs:
- If the flap is deformed , consider repairing or filing a complaint with the manufacturer.
- are losing pollen significantly on the flap , consider modifying the flap
- If the moving part of the damper (flap) did not run smoothly , consider adjusting the damper hinge from UHELON
- If the paint on the flap is damaged by weathering , it is recommended to renew its coating - use suitable acrylic paints for exterior use; this will significantly extend the life of the flap; avoid synthetic/nitro paints , especially when repairing in the spring
Protective flap clogged with pollen threads and wax
Photo O.Hercog
Blocked entrance hole to the corridor behind the flap
Photo O. Hercog 8/2019
Dirty inlet hole in the flap
Photo O. Hercog 2018
Back of the flap
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
Entrance hall (tube)
bumblebees will fill the passageway of the hive with dirt , pollen, and parts of the lining. There will also be dead individuals , but parasites can also hide there. Therefore, the tube needs to be thoroughly cleaned or replaced with a new one.
The smell of the used tube , even if the pheromone trace has partially evaporated, supports the nesting of young queens in the spring. It can therefore be used in the next season. In the case of a hive where bumblebees nested and smelled it during the season, it is best to replace it with a new one and not bother with cleaning it.
Likewise, if you have a pipe with an inner diameter smaller than 18mm – replace it . Get a new one with an inner diameter of at least 25mm for the new season.
If you have decided to keep the tube (for example, you can put it in a new hive in the spring), it needs to be cleaned thoroughly .
Cleaning procedure:
- Mechanically remove all dirt from the pipe and knock out all deposits.
- Rinse the pipe with clean, hot water without detergents.
- The water for rinsing should be around 60C to kill any parasites that may have settled in it.
- Rinsing needs to be repeated until the pipe is clean.
- It is recommended to let the pipe soak , bend it to loosen dirt and rinse it again.
- A thoroughly dried pipe can be sanitized in the microwave or in a pot of hot water (depending on the resistance of the material used). This will destroy any remaining parasites that may be hiding there.
Entrance hall after the season
Photo: O. Hercog 9/2020
Entrance hall after the season
Photo: O. Hercog 9/2020
A woman's head is priceless - cleaning
Photo: P. Krčová 8/2019
Entrance hall after the season - cleaning
Photo: O. Hercog 8/2019
Internal surfaces of the hive
The hive will be heavily soiled, especially the walls and corners . Bumblebees come here to defecate. There will also be traces of moisture and mold . In extreme cases, there will be fungi, etc. However, the nest in the hive can still thrive.
Everything needs to be cleaned , but at the same time not to destroy the smell of bumblebees .
You are not really ridding the hive of the bumblebee smell, just the dirt, because this will make it easier to populate the hive next season !
Notice:
We have come across a case where large numbers of Antherophagus nigricornis larvae have hidden in the polystyrene board/bottom of the hive. Therefore, we recommend throwing away the additional hive insulation after the season, or treating it well by heating it in a microwave oven.
Cleaning procedure:
- If you used a hive liner , you have less work to do – simply remove it and throw it
- If you have used additional polystyrene insulation and it is dirty, throw it
If you want to use it again , inspect it, wash it and, after drying, sanitize it in the microwave. - The bottom and walls of the hive need to be thoroughly mechanically cleaned and freed from all nest remnants, other deposits or the beginnings of mold - use a scraper, a fine steel brush, the rough side of a dish sponge, emery cloth, etc.
- the dirt or sweep it away with a brush.
- It is worth heating the walls with a heat gun - but only so that the wood does not burn and, if possible, the scent of the nest remains for the next season.
- When cleaning, pay attention to corners and folds where parasites can hide.
- If the hive was well treated with waterproof varnish during production, you can plug all the holes in it, fill it with hot water and let it sit for a while. The hive then needs to be thoroughly dried and left to dry.
- Without wood protection, hot water damages and shortens its lifespan.
Repairs:
- After drying, repair cracks and leaks .
- Flexible silicone sealants can be used , do not use bread dough, as you may have read somewhere 🙂
- Sealants that dry out are not suitable.
Notice:
- But hot water does not kill all germs, mold, or parasites.
- If you let the hive freeze , you will not destroy all parasites and germs and molds.
Heating above +60 degrees is safer than freezing -20 degrees. Frost does not destroy microbes and neither does temperature above 100 degrees. - Frost and moisture can damage the hive structure
- Use the heat gun in a way that does not damage the soft parts of the hive (polystyrene bottom, seals, etc.), just the wood , but do not burn it !
Cardboard insert removed during cleaning
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
The walls of the hive after the season
The hive was cleaned during the season
Photo O. Hercog 9/2020
Mold can also form behind cardboard in large nests
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
Moisture damages the wooden parts of the hive.
It is necessary to dry and clean the walls.
Photo by O. Hercog
The walls of the hive with a strong nest after the season
Photo M. Bradová 8/2020
The walls of the hive after the season (they were covered with cardboard
Photo O. Hercog 8/2019
Using a heat gun to sanitize the walls of the hive
Use the heat gun in a way that does not damage the soft parts of the hive (polystyrene bottom, seals, etc.)
Just heat the wood, but do not burn it!
Photo O. Hercog 8/2019
Antherophagus nigricornis larvae hidden in the polystyrene bottom of the alley
Photo M. Bradová 9/2020
Antherophagus nigricornis larvae hidden in the polystyrene bottom of the alley (the polystyrene melted due to the heat)
Photo M. Bradová 9/2020
Pay attention to the walls of the hive. Even small cracks in the walls need to be treated with a flexible (e.g. silicone sealant) so that parasites cannot penetrate the hive through them.
Here, hives made of waterproof laminated plywood have a clear advantage, and on the contrary, this is evidence of the disadvantages of a hive made of solid wood - it cracks.
Bumblebees PLUS – Cracks in the hive body
Photo O. Hercog 2020
Bumblebees PLUS – Cracks in the hive body – sealing with flexible sealant
Photo O. Hercog 2020
Seal
If there is a seal on the hive, it is a good idea to check its condition and replace it if necessary .
The foam seal in particular and must be replaced after the season.
If you apply a seal , it should be soft so that it will squeeze under load and the bumblebees will not get to it.
Some modern hives no longer use seals, the structure is designed to be safe - the parts fit together precisely, the structure is rigid and does not twist.
Examples of good gasket materials can be found HERE
Bitten through seal under roof
Photo O. Hercog 8/2020
Ventilation and cover mesh
Bumblebees sometimes wax the grids, or the grid may otherwise become clogged.
Parasites sometimes lay their eggs on the ventilation grille. Parasites and larvae can be trapped behind the grille on the sticky layer, or on the fine mesh of Uhelon 53S.
The ventilation grille should not be damaged.
Cleaning procedure:
- Ventilation must be disassembled
- Look carefully at its parts.
- A deformed wind cap will not seal and will cause problems when settling the queen
- Clean the ventilation parts mechanically to remove dirt and trapped parasites.
- If the UHELON 53S grid and mesh chewed through, it will need to be replaced and repaired.
- If you are using a ventilation attachment, remove it, clean it and store it separately so that its seal does not get squeezed, you will re-install it in the spring
Repairs:
- If it doesn't leak, repair the lid of a commercially available hive, or return it - the lid is made of thin plywood and sometimes deforms due to moisture
Read about ventilation HERE
Bee hive ventilation sealed with wax
Photo O. Hercog 2017
Hive ventilation - parasite eggs (here flies) laid on the mesh
of the ventilation hole
Photo O.Hercog 2018
Deformed ventilation cap
Photo O. Hercog 5/4/2020
Sticky trap in ventilation after the season
Photo O. Hercog 2018
Disposal of nest remains
Disposing of nest remains is necessary because this will prevent bumblebee parasites/predators from overwintering.
If you keep only a clean part of the waxwork for demonstration .
It is best to burn , or put them in a plastic bag and pour boiling water/alcohol over them . Then, close the bag and throw it in the trash.
Leftovers that you don't dispose of can serve as a place for parasites to overwinter . Therefore, don't underestimate this operation.
Dispose of the remains of the nest
Photo by O. Hercog 8/2019
Hive repairs and modifications
All the knowledge gained from inspecting and cleaning the hive is good to use. It is up to you when you start repairing the hive, as preparation for spring. If you prepare everything in advance, do not put the lining in the hive , as it will get wet unnecessarily.
In any case, don't forget your plans and findings for the solution .
Throughout the fall and winter, we will offer you ideas and tricks that you can use. This year, we have acquired quite a few that you might find useful. I'm sure you already have your own tried and tested ideas that you can enrich us all with.
If you have purchased a mattress and it has become loose, broken, or deformed, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer and inform them of the defects. This is the only way for the manufacturer to learn about the defects and be able to address and, most importantly, fix them .
Storing the hive/bumblebee colony for the winter
Once you have cleaned and dried the hive , it can be stored in a place protected from rodents.
Store the hive in a dry place, protected from rain and moisture. Do not leave it outside , it would be a shame - it will shorten its lifespan .
Seal the hive openings , for example with tape or at least a paper towel, so that it can ventilate a little and does not get moldy. Sealing it is advisable to prevent uninvited visitors, such as mice . They would contaminate it and also damage it.
Bumblebees PLUS – Storing the hive after the season
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
Bumblebees PLUS – Storing the hive after the season
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
The ventilation hole is taped over for storage
Taped over the ventilation hole
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
The inlet/ventilation opening can be closed with a roll of tissue for storage
Entrance hole closed with a coil
Photo O. Hercog 20/9/2020
What about natural bumblebee nests?
Natural bumblebee nests will decay and decompose on their own, or you can remove them and speed up the cleanup of the area for further nesting. But it's better to leave it to nature.
Now that we've cleaned out the hive, why not take a look around the garden and plan to clean out empty birdhouses ? The birds will surely thank you in the spring, and at the same time, you'll eliminate potential sources of parasites that also attack bumblebees.
For example, it could be bumblebee nests that have occupied empty birdhouses and are now being overwintered by a warbler .
If you have bumblebees (Bombus hypnoprum) in your garden, you can fill a cleaned birdhouse in early spring with a lining that can be used by birds, or this particular species of bumblebee, which builds its nests in tree cavities and birdhouses.
A nest of a hypnotic bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) in a birdhouse
Photo: Dave Jones
Conclusion
As you can see, it's a lot of work. But beekeepers have it harder. But admit it yourself - isn't the work worth it?
Let's summarize it all:
- The work and time spent inspecting the hive after the season is worth it.
- Take your time to read the nest after the season, you will get a lot of interesting details from the life of bumblebees
- The work and time spent cleaning the hive after the season is worth it.
- You can make mechanical , but only line the shelter before placing it outside in the spring.
- Do not store the hive for the winter uncleaned parasites will overwinter in it !
- Store the hive in a dry place to extend its lifespan
Fear in action – we will see it again
Photo O. Hercog (5/2020)