To Jason and All,

Arheit's call is right on the money.  Here in the northern piedmont of
North Carolina we have had over a week of very cold weather followed by
snow and sleet with highs until yesterday only in the 20's with the same
results, bees on cleansing flights dropping in midair due to the cold
below freezing temps- sun is warm on the hive fronts. The strongest hives
usually have the largest accumulation of deceased bees in front.  Also,
some house cleaning of dead bees has been done since the temperatures
yesterday were in the low 40’s. Usually if the temperature is above 47
degrees Fahrenheit my bees from the strongest hives are bringing in pollen
and nectar as several plants are already blooming here. It’s also good to
see maiden flights!

Regarding the uninvited hive occupant, most likely the mouse has built a
large nest, as it likes it nice and cozy and a good safe place to raise
her young.  In most cases, a mouse nest will be found just above the
bottom bars of the lowest frames in the hive, sometimes extending below,
and are typically three or four frames across, all connected in a wad of
stinky smelly mouse nesting material. Removing this material usually
involves taking out all interconnected frames together intact. Then the
nest is removed piece-by-piece and sometimes mouse-by-mouse often breaking
away damaged comb to free one frame at a time.  All this is accomplished
external to the hive and should be done in warm enough weather that brood
will not be killed due to prolonged exposure.  If done on a cold day you
will kill bees and brood. The mouse does a whole lot of damage to frames
and foundation (chewing and eating) as well as damage to the hive with
weeks to months of built up urination and defecation deposits. Since the
mouse is not capable of even the most fundamental methods of basic hygiene
bottomboards, frames and even hivebodies often have to be replaced and the
damaged or soiled parts “cleaned and reworked”. Using entrance reducers in
the fall is one of the best ways to discourage hive entry by mice; its not
foolproof, but it’s a cheap and simple management tool.

Chuck Norton
Norton's Nut & Honey Farm
Reidsville, NC

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