Print Page - Workers being kind of "thready"

Title: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: josbees on May 22, 2008, 10:22:22 PM

I didn't even think hard about this till today, but two days ago when I was about to requeen one of my hives after the first girl didn't make it, I was checking the frames, just to be sure there was no queen around. I was so intent at finding or not finding the big girl, that I wasn't paying the proper attention to the rest of the girls. And now it's on my mind. I requeened the hive, and am not planning on going back in for at least another week (other than topping up the sugar syrup up above).

But what I saw when I went in was this: when I nudged the frames apart, I noticed that there were a bunch of workers kind of hanging on to each other between the frames, and when I pulled the frames it was kind of like a spiderweb or mothy falling apart. I know that's a lousy description, but it's the best I can come up with.

I'd say there were about 50 bees, half on one frame and half on the next, and it was just like pulling a piece of cotton ball apart.

What do you all think? Are they just having a party between the frames, or are they desperately holding on to each other in the hope that I'll disappear and let them alone?

And PS, Love you guys, if I didn't already let you knlw that!

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: doak on May 22, 2008, 10:26:22 PM

A good sign, they are working. Building comb.
doak

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: josbees on May 22, 2008, 10:28:13 PM

Thanks!! See, if it wasn't for all of you I would have absolutely no clue. And here I was, thinking they were all turning into moth bees, or cotton ball bees, or some such!!

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: KONASDAD on May 22, 2008, 11:05:31 PM

festooning. Using their bodies as architectural guide.

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: the kid on May 22, 2008, 11:08:11 PM

I was told that when they make wax they chain ....
the kid

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: doak on May 22, 2008, 11:10:05 PM

also correct
doak

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: annette on May 23, 2008, 12:39:36 AM

I read here on this forum, that they need to be left alone when they are festooning. It all looks like very delicate work to me and I place them back in the hive quickly when I find them doing that. It brings such happiness to me when I see them doing this, knowing they are making the wax combs.

Take care
Annette

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: doak on May 23, 2008, 12:52:20 AM

good going, let them do their thing.

When you get a good colony going some time the only inspection needed is to look at the entrance for 5 or 10 minutes. If you're not taking honey off, adding a super or feeding, why open?
doak

Title: Re: Workers being kind of "thready"
Post by: JP on May 23, 2008, 12:58:57 AM

Be pep rallies! :-D

...JP

Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: josbees on May 22, 2008, 10:22:22 PM