We were blessed to see two Open Air Hives in one year! This one was way bigger than the previous one. I am always curious how honey bees ultimately decide to build an Open Air Hive. Is it the scouts just can’t find a suitable location in a hollow tree or structure to bring the swarm into? (I have my doubts on this one) Is it the bees in the swarm are so filled up on honey to make beeswax that they start extracting it at the first stop? I do know that once the beeswax/comb building starts and an egg is laid by the queen, they are anchored to the spot, no matter where it is. I also wonder could an Open Air Hive actually survive a Colorado Winter? This one, I would venture to say no way! I don’t think it would be the cold that would kill them, but more of the snow and cold combined on the Open Air Hive. There is a saying amongst beekeepers, wet bees in Winter are dead bees.
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