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the hives were moved to this location last Saturday evening/ Sunday morning. they were being bothered at least to some degree by the local wildlife not bears but perhaps skunks, raccoons that sort of thing. the first hive in the photo was always a bit defensive, but quite manageable. the photograph in question was taken at the new location. As you can see all the activity and at 12A.M...in 12 years of beekeeping I have never seen that kind of activity. I know what washboarding is and I know what bearding is. This is neither. any suggestions or thoughts.
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Maybe you just go up the hive and ask them what they are doing out on such a fine night... :lau:
Seriously If they were being bothered buy skunks etc this could just be patrolling/guarding the hive at night.
I have so many questions but you've probably already eliminated them all....Too hot? Not enough space? Requeening? Another skunk? Another group trying to move in?
It reminds me of my one hive that does a really good job of keeping ants out, although yours have a lot more bees out. I would vote with Spear, patrolling/guarding behaviour, but just a guess.
JC
Robbing?
I'm leaning toward not venting my hives anymore. There's a guy in our bee club who said he's never vented and he don't have problem with SHB/wax moths either. Any way the jury's still out on right or wrong.
Bees see just fine in the dark and I bet it was a blood warm evening. Probably patrolling the perimeter or just not settled in to new location. I have seen bees do this occaisionally on warm nights of which we have very few.
Yeah, I agree it doesn't really look like bearding or wash boarding. I think they're out patrolling because they've been agitated. I've seen that in some of my nucs when I've inspected at night. They'll come out looking to defend the hive. At night, all they can do it crawl...unless you're foolish enough to be carrying a white light. :-D
Skunks and coons can be a real problem. This time of year, it's usually the skunks causing my problems. Elevating the boxes, or using an mid/top entrance is one way to eliminate the problems if it's a skunk.
do you have access to a game camera? that would answer the question of there being any animal activity. skunks can wipe out a hive given the chance. besides the already mentioned upper entrance you can nail a piece of carpet tack strip to the landing boards. when the skunk comes knocking they get a painful surprise. I live trap skunks & drown them.