- Uncomfortable hive
- Too high/low temperatures
- Strong winds
- Poor ventilation
- High humidity and poor drainage
- Frequent disturbance
- Obstructions in their flight paths
- Lack of enough food and water
- Parasite and disease attack
- Large animal raids
- Agrochemicals
- Overpopulation
- Lack of enough space in the combs
- Problems with the queen
- Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
- The absconding genetics
1. Uncomfortable Hive—One of the Major Causes of the Bees Absconding Problem
There are many things that can make hives uncomfortable for these pollinators. One of the major factors is the smell of lumber and plywood glue or odor of paint. These insects cannot tolerate a ‘bad’ smell and would leave immediately if they detect it.
A poorly designed hive can also cause uncomfortable conditions. For example, the top-bar hive may not be perfectly designed. It lacks a suitable place for spreading wax. Bees are confused on whether to place wax on the top bars or along the inside walls, and they may just decide to move away, leaving an empty beehive.
2. Too High or Low Temperatures
Temperatures that are too high cause overheating in the interior. If you see bees staying outside, you should know the structure is overheating. Lack of ventilation can make the house too hot even in winter.
Low temperatures can also cause the absconding problem. The apiary structure can freeze or form snow in cold season, and this is one of the reasons why bees leave hives in the winter. Freezing and snow kill bees, so they will have to leave when temperatures get too low to avoid the threat.
3. Strong Winds
Strong winds swing ‘hanged’ hives, causing disturbance. The pollinators do not like disturbance and will have to leave if the interruption is unbearable. Strong winds also bring cold air inside the house.
4. Poor Beehive Ventilation
Like other organisms, bees need fresh air. If your structure is not well-ventilated, it is not providing enough oxygen to the insects, and this can make them leave for another home with good air flow.
Poor ventilation also causes temperature increase and odor accumulation. As mentioned above, these are some of the things that bees cannot bear, and they will have to move out if they are present.
5. High Humidity and Poor Drainage
Hives can get too wet in humid weather—a condition that is not liked by bees. The insects will abscond if there is water stagnating inside (caused by poor hive drainage). Water can destroy combs and kill both the young and adult bees, and if it turns into ice, it can damage the structure.
6. Frequent Disturbance
As mentioned earlier, disturbance can be caused by strong winds. Opening the house frequently can also be disturbing to the insects. In addition, regular maintenance of the structure can interfere with their peace.
7. Obstructions in Their Flight Paths
Bees need clear paths when flying; they do not like obstruction when getting water or nectar and pollen. If there are obstructions in their flight paths, they can decide to move to another place that offers clear and smooth flight ways.
8. Lack of Enough Food and Water
Beekeepers have a duty to provide bees with food and water, especially when the colony is new. When the colony grows larger, the pollinators can make their own food and also obtain water from around the area. Your bees might leave the hive if you do not provide these necessities. They can also leave if there are no plants or water sources in the surroundings.
9. Parasite and Disease Attack
Bee parasites feed on the honey and can also harm the insects directly. Some pests that can lead to the loss of your colony include mites (tracheal and varroa), ants, birds, butterflies and wasps.
Diseases can also cause the absconding phenomenon. Some common bee diseases include American foulbrood, European foulbrood, chalkbrood, stonebrood, cripaviridae, chilled brood and dysentery.
10. Large Animal Raids
Invasions of large animals in apiaries have been one of the major reasons why bees leave hives. Some animals destroy the structure and eat the honey, while others eat the insects. Good examples of the animals are bears, raccoons, skunks and mice.
11. Agrochemicals
Chemicals used in farms can cause the absconding situation. Pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other crop and animal chemicals can kill a big portion of the colony and drive away the remaining ones.
12. Overpopulation
A colony swarms if it grows extra large, but sometimes it can abscond. When the house becomes too populated and there are other factors interfering with the comfort, all the bees can leave it and split afterwards.
13. Lack of Enough Space in the Combs
This situation is different from overpopulation or congestion. If there is not enough space in the combs to store honey or for the queen to lay eggs, the honey bees can leave. Lack of enough space in the combs can be due to swarming and having few worker bees left to make the space.
The colony left can be too small to make new combs, and it can opt to feed on all the honey and leave. If it leaves, it can be absorbed by another bigger colony or die away.
14. Problems with the Queen
One of the major problems of the queen is old age. When the queen bee becomes too old, it stops laying eggs, resulting in a lack of broods to replace the dead bees or the ones that have swarmed. The colony grows small due to this situation and can end up absconding.
Another problem is when the queen dies. Loss of the queen means there that are no new bees to manage the hive in the future. The colony can raise another queen or pack up and move.
15. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
Apiary owners can have the absconding problem even when they have done everything to prevent it. Bees that move away without any good reason are said to have the Colony Collapse Disorder. Apiculture professionals and entomologists are doing research on this disorder.
16. The Absconding Genetics
Some honey bees carry the absconding gene and are usually quick to leave the apiary. Any slight uncomfortable condition can trigger them to say bye to their home. The Africanized ones are said to carry the gene.
In Conclusion…
Bee absconding is a situation that can hurt your apiculture business. You can make great losses and even close down the apiary due to empty beehives!
Jungle honey Ltd is an expert in bee keeping contact 0112271494/0795828414
info@junglehoney.co.ke
