Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Hethen57 on July 24, 2009, 08:21:19 PM

Title: Odd Beehavior - Shakedown at hive entrance?
Post by: Hethen57 on July 24, 2009, 08:21:19 PM
Anyone know what are the bees doing when they frantically tongue and appear to be cleaning another bee on the front porch?  It is the oddest behavior...the first time I saw it, I thought the bee was biting an intruder, but since the bee just stood there an took it, I figured it must not be a hostile action.  The bee doing the action really gets frantic as she works her way around the other bee, and the one getting cleaned or whatever, just stands there.

Sorry, I still haven't got over the habit of sitting in front of the hives for a few minutes and watching the bees come and go.....pretty much everyday.  :roll:

Also, they are still bringing in lots of pollen....does that mean they are still making honey...or does pollen collection happen even when there is no nectar?
-Mike
Title: Re: Odd Beehavior - Shakedown at hive entrance?
Post by: John Schwartz on July 24, 2009, 08:28:24 PM
Possibly a forager handing off new-found nectar to other foragers would appear like what you're saying. :)