With the impending storm gathering up to slam into us within the next 24-36 hours it got me thinking.
What would I have done with my bees had I started my apiary this year? So my question to all you beeks who keep bees where you get severe weather, what do you do to prep your bees and keep them safe?
Rosie
Depends on your location.
Low lying areas prone to flooding...there are two, possibly three things. One is to move the hives to higher ground. Of course you have to have the higher ground to move them to and the ability to move them. The second option is to do nothing, secure yourself and loved ones and "what will be, will be" with the bees and other belongings. Top entrances, though, will allow the bees to exit the hive if water starts rising around/inside the hive. I know during the last flooding in Louisiana a beek that after the storm moved out and the flood waters were rising that he simply took the tops off of his hives (he had lots of them) and let the bees save themselves...he lost many/most of them but they survived to contribute to the feral population.
Wind...t-posts driven beside the hives and hives tied to them. Mobile home tie-downs installed on either side of the hives and a strap holding down the hives...basically anchoring the hives down to keep them from toppling over from the wind. Airborne objects could still knock them over. I would avoid anchoring them to solid fences or light-weight outbuildings that might be blown over...same goes for questionable trees. Again, securing yourself and family is the primary concern.
At a minimum increase the number of bricks, stones, etc., on the covers to keep them from being blown off....a ratchet strap going completely around the hive would secure it together.
Not much more you can do other than stopping up the entrances with #8 hardware cloth, ratchet strapping them, and moving them into a secure building. You must be sure you have them completely closed up...you don't want to deal with a swarm of bees in a building during a hurricane! This will only work if you have a few hives and the hives are small enough to be moved...hand-trucks can help here as does level ground.
But, a deep and medium hive should be within reason of most people in good health to lift.
Wind, wind-driven objects, and rising water. Those are the things to prepare for. But, having said all of that, there are beekeepers down in Florida that basically don't do anything, they may have thousands of hives...they "wait and see"....and say a prayer.
Ed
