In a message dated 95-06-22 08:40:49 EDT, [log in to unmask] (Kelley
Rosenlund) wrote:
 
>2. When you move your hives from field to field, do you screen the
>hive
>entrance to keep the bees in?
 
     I can't help with the question about mosaic, but would be extremely
interested in others' responses.
 
   Re: your second question.  In hot weather it is extremely risky to close
up hives.  When they discover they can't get out, they become exited.  That
creates more heat, which gets them more excited.  You can get a runaway chain
reaction, which can actually melt down comb.  Of course before that happens
brood is dead, and the bees will probably not be able to recover from the
loss without heroic salvage methods.  You'll have to remove the dead brood,
feed heavily, and watch to see if the queen was damaged or lost.
 
   Late afternoon/evening, when bees are basically done flying, is the best
time to load, and morning is the best time to unload, if it can be planned
that way.  As long as the truck is moving, even in daylight, bees will not
fly unless they are dangerously overheated.  Be liberal about hosing down the
load. For long distance hauls crushed ice is also a possibility.  Put it on
top, so it drips down among the hives.
 
   If you can net the whole load (some states require this), it is far better
than closing up individual hives.  But be prepared for some mighty mean bees
when you pull the net.  I like to unnet the load first, then move a couple
hundred feet to get away from the irate ones before unloading the hives.
 
   If you must close up hives, and the weather is hot, you need to have top
screens to replace the covers.  Hope this helps.
 
[log in to unmask]                  Dave Green
PO Box 1215
Hemingway,  SC  29554