I went out to my hive today after a week of being away and, i'm not sure if they were enjoying the cool after rainstrom weather or what, but it looked as tho they were going to swarm. I have never seen that amount of bees outside the hive entrance...The top super is unfilled and they have been doing well thus far. What's up?
Often my girls go out in the afternoon in mass flights, not sure if they are just new girls trying their wings and maybe a nurse bee bathroom break...hehe.
I've noticed alot more flights this week.
What kind of foundation are you useing in your super? Sometimes they just don't like what we give them.
I tested a starter strip in a super and they drew it out in 3 days 80%.
Just make sure they have stores, water and some peace and quiet...I've been told not to bother mine too much...but it's just so cool to see them working...BAD BEEHAVER....
BTW...this is my first year...so wait for one of the TRUE Beekeepers to chime in before you do anything...
Quote from: palomanegra on September 09, 2008, 03:00:56 PM
I went out to my hive today after a week of being away and, i'm not sure if they were enjoying the cool after rainstrom weather or what, but it looked as tho they were going to swarm. I have never seen that amount of bees outside the hive entrance...The top super is unfilled and they have been doing well thus far. What's up?
Vent the hive, bees will beard on the front of the hive if there is insufficient room within the hive
or if the internal temps climb too high. The internal temps can also be why they're not working the super.
If you're using an excluder lose it and the bees will move up into the super. The excluder often works as a barrier the bees won't cross without reason. If you must use and excluder wait until the bees are working the super well before installing. Another reason they're not working the super may be the type of frame...Plastic? Bees hate plastic so painting an extra coat of wax onto plastic frames/foundation and baiting with syrup will help in that case.
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on September 09, 2008, 04:30:22 PM
Quote from: palomanegra on September 09, 2008, 03:00:56 PM
I went out to my hive today after a week of being away and, i'm not sure if they were enjoying the cool after rainstrom weather or what, but it looked as tho they were going to swarm. I have never seen that amount of bees outside the hive entrance...The top super is unfilled and they have been doing well thus far. What's up?
Vent the hive, bees will beard on the front of the hive if there is insufficient room within the hive or if the internal temps climb too high. The internal temps can also be why they're not working the super.
If you're using an excluder lose it and the bees will move up into the super. The excluder often works as a barrier the bees won't cross without reason. If you must use and excluder wait until the bees are working the super well before installing. Another reason they're not working the super may be the type of frame...Plastic? Bees hate plastic so painting an extra coat of wax onto plastic frames/foundation and baiting with syrup will help in that case.
And if you are using plastic, next time you order, purchase wax coated, yes it makes a big difference.
More heat, more bees equals more bearding.
...JP
Palo, I live in New Jersey near you in PA!
My bees bearded big time prior to the storm because it was hot and humid. I have one deep and two medium suppers on top of each others. So I opened the cover and discovered that the top medium deep is filled 10 frames with caped honey.. what a site.. So I added another medium deep and the bearding/crowding problem disappeared. Now my bees are building combs on the center frames like mad. I decided to feed them medicated heavy sugar syrup to help them build up the new supper before winter.
I would do as the previous posters suggested.. Ventilate the hive
-Rodni