Effect of Using A Modified Warming System on Activities and Productivity of Honey Bees

This study was conducted in a private apiary at El-Baramon, EL-Daqahliyah governorate, Egypt during the 2019-2020 winter seasons. Hives from the Langstroth type containing equal strength of honeybee colonies from the species of hybrid Carniolan were used. The research aims to increase the honeybee colonies' activities and maintain the strength and quality production by mounting a simple warming system into the hive. This study included primary studies on three methods of warming (pushing hot air, using thermal coil, and using halogen lamp) to determine the best method adapted with bee colonies. The in-hive temperature was adjusted to a minimum of 21 ºC through a heat sensor. The secondary studies were conducted to study the effect of the best warming system on bee colonies' temperature, strength (sealed brood area and a number of occupied frames), and productivity (honey and pollen areas). Results showed that the system containing halogen lamps was the best method adapted with bee colonies. The minimum and maximum ambient temperatures were at 3.00 am and at 2.00 pm, respectively. The average temperatures outside and inside the nest were (19.17, 20.15, and 21.6 ºC) and (36.63, 36.76, and 36.65 ºC) for unwintering (control), normal wintering, and with warming system, respectively. The mean values of (honey, pollen, and sealed brood areas, cm2); and a number of occupied frames on the end of March were (745,606 and1958 cm2); and 5 frames for unwintered hives (control) and (1043, 914, and 3456cm2); and 14 frames for halogen warming system, respectively. The total cost of the fabricated warming system was about 21.9 LE/season. Significant increase in hive products; (honey, pollen, and sealed brood areas); and a number of occupied frames were detected when using a halogen warming system comparing with unwintered and normal wintered groups. While the productivity was increased by about 19.51% and 30.38% respectively for honey and pollen areas compared with the normal warming system.