The Weather

[Julie Servantez]

With a third large storm approaching in my neck of the woods, I am wondering how concerned I should be about wind damage to my hives?

With each of the storms that have come & gone, I watch my 2 hives with much anxiety hoping they will prevail-and they have (so far).

I have 2 hives located in a low area of my property. They are on the edge of the woods and are backed by a tree line offering some wind brace and protection.

Each hive is now 3 broods and 2 supers high and sit on cinder blocks with a large paver on the outer cover. I strapped them over the winter, but do not have them strapped now. I had strapped them to the cinder blocks.

The question is, will 60-80 mile an hour wind topple a hive? If I strap them to the cinder block, isn't it feasible the whole thing can tip over?

What do others do to ensure their hives "weather the storm".

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Julie

[Greg V]

With such tall hives, I would pound a strong metal stake next to the hive and tie the hive to the stake (for extra security).

This is what I do in my out-yards.
Some of the hives I have not seen in two weeks or more, and can only hope they are OK.
But they all are tied to metal stakes (a good thing).

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[Randy Deering]

I have a swing set anchor below my TB hive, and if strong winds are expected I throw a tie down over it and ratchet it tight. That way I don't have to worry about the winds taking the top off it or tipping it.

I bought the anchor at Menard's (about $12). They are the heavy duty screw type with an eyelet at the top. I screwed it below the dirt level by a bit and have just enough access to put the hook of the tie-down thru it.

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Randy

[Matt H]

It's possible, but unlikely.  Put a cinder block on top (in addition to the paver) to keep your outer cover from blowing off and forget it.  3 brood + 2 super high is going to weigh 300-400 pounds is very unlikely to tip over.  In the winter it's a different story because that 4 foot hive is now very light because the bees have consumed much of the honey.  

[Greg V]

Well, tornadic strength winds easily flip over very heavy and low sitting cars (save for much, much less aerodynamic shape of a tall hive - these are just asking to be taken apart, piece by piece).

The real question is about the wind speed tolerance of your hive?

The higher tolerance is, obviously, better.

So, if the question IS already asked, that tells me, Julie - you are concerned.

They why worry about it?
Just anchor them better and sleep better.
Could have done already while we talk about it. :-)

[Matt H]

Let's be realistic here...if you're having tornadic strength winds you have more than hives to worry about.  Perhaps you should get some straps for your cars as well.

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[Greg V]

My point, Matt, was all about tolerances.

All I am saying - it takes much, much less than tornadic wind to flip a hive (however heavy).

[Dale Marsden]

Two week ago when we had 80 mph winds and I lost a 40 foot linden on the edge of my yard of 7 hives in the open, three covers blew off but the inner covers stayed on and the hives were fine. 

Dale

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From: Matt H <matthew...@gmail.com>
To: madbees <mad...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: [madbees] Re: The Weather

[Greg V]

Here:  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/iwx/publications/Beaufort_Wind_Chart.pdf

If you like to be tolerant up to the levels 8 or so - probably do nothing as-is.

If you want to improve over that by a notch or two - then improve.

Keep in mind that the scale is not linear.

Finally, let us just hope that the bad weather just keeps missing us.

My heavily loaded peach tree tilted all way to the ground but held, the last time around.
A sad view and needs fixing ASAP.

[Greg V]

I would not easily say - we had "80 mph winds".

Did you actually document such measurement at your house?

80 mph wind is a no joke and I would rather not have it.

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[marvin]

I usually don't worry about wind too much.  Like most people, I put a rock on the top cover.  The weight of the honey should anchor things down well.  Now the caveat....The thing I have more trouble with is the saturated soil.  I have little to no level land on my property, and while I level my pallets, cinder blocks and silo stave foundations, in the course of year they start to pitch, as does the whole stack.  And with all that honey on top, they can look a little precarious.  And it's hard in mid-season to make adjustments, other than harvesting and shrinking the stack.  I haven't lost one yet, but I could see it happening.  

On Friday, July 21, 2017 at 9:44:15 AM UTC-5, Julie Servantez wrote:

[Matt H]

I have personal first hand experience with this.  We had an EF1 tornado hit our property in mid-June 2014.  It stripped shingles from our roof and uprooted/broke 8 very large trees on our property, one of which fell on our house.  The two first year hives I had at the time didn't tip over.  The covers didn't even blow off (cinder block on each).  It takes a lot.  

[Randy Deering]

The top of my TB hive has been pulled off this hive twice by winds. Granted, the wind comes at it from the backside of the photo and that may have a lot to do with it, but it does happen. Hence, the reason I put the anchor below the hive.

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Randy

[Paul Zelenski]

It also depends on the type of covers. The wooden covers don’t blow off very easily with sufficient weight on them. The plastic ones have more space to catch the wind and can be more precarious.

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[Greg V]

So, Matt, how tall were those first year hives?

[William Palmer]

We had some strait line winds (55MPH). That blew over a line of hives. Domio effect.   The bees were really pissy.  No amount of smoke could calm them. Straitened them up and got out. Were much calmer in two days.

On Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 12:00 PM, Greg V <voro...@gmail.com> wrote:

So, Matt, how tall were those first year hives?

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[Matt H]

Taller than a troll....

[Greg V]

Called a troll for asking a question....
Google up on "wind gradient" what not. Hence was my question.

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[Julie Servantez]

You are all great (and pretty funny!)

Unfortunately, wasn't able to get to the hardware store so I have not battened down the hatches! I will absolutely take your combined suggestions and be prepared for the next storm.

I am hoping that Charlie Shortino is a liar and the weather isn't going to be as bad as they say.

Keep your collective fingers crossed!

THANKS ALL!

Julie

On Friday, July 21, 2017 at 9:44:15 AM UTC-5, Julie Servantez wrote: