In a message dated 8/6/99 11:08:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

<< I have a strange bee kill that seems to be affecting mostly young bees.
I
 suspect it to be heat related.    Is this likely?    I have the bees in a
 direct sun location with no grass under them (red clay).    The daytime,
 outside the hive, temperature has been above 95 degrees almost every day for
 approximately a month.    Last week the temperature, outside the hive soared
 to 100+ on at least one occasion. >>

   This kind of heat is extremely stressful to the bees. My queens have all
but stopped laying, and there is some brood kill. I keep my bees in the shade
as much as possible, and advise you to get them into shade, even if it means
erecting it.
We had a week in the high 90's followed by a week over 100; 104 last Saturday
and Sunday. Thankfully, it's a bit cooler now. Because of the heat, I've not
been able to work outside for long, but I am not happy with the condition of
the bees I've seen. Hives that were excellent a month ago are down to an
average of three frames of brood, with only a couple dozen cells with eggs.
Queens and adults look okay, but brood looks spotty, quite a few cells of
dead ones that are half chewed. Pollen stores are almost non-existant. Honey
stores are adequate with most, but I plan to do a little feeding to see if it
will stimulate the queen.  The summer of '88 was just like this, and I wound
up losing quite a few hives. So far I haven't lost hives, but I am worried
that I will, if the heat continues.

   Also, check carefully for varroa. Sometimes this is a killer of brood and
young bees. Especially check emerging bees for thread wings and small
sickly-looking bees.

Dave Green    Hemingway, SC
The Pollination Home Page           http://www.pollinator.com