Front of hive covered with bees

[Need2BEE]

Temp has been in the upper 90's for about 8 days. I noticed a couple of days ago 1 hive had about 500+ bees on the front , packed around the entrance. Today i found 2 more doing the same, I opened the tops covers and put a 3/4 spacer in for ventilation, what do i need to watch for?

[Brian D. Bray]

Bearding is the result of too many bees inside the hive so they hang out outside.
The reasons for bearding can be as simple as they are too tightly packed inside the hive for the ambient temperature.  It can be as complex as over population of worker bees prior to swarming as overcrowding can invoke the swarm response.
Venting the hive should reduce the numbers of bees on the outside of the hive as the air flow will allow for closer packing of the bees without becoming too hot.
If, after venting, bees are bearding they installation of either a slatted rack or a super should aleviate the overcrowding. 

Watch for the bearding to continue or increase, it either happens after venting and providing more space then swarming is most likely in the forecast and splitting the hive might be necessary,  At the least an inspection for queen cells is called for.

[honeytaker]

THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO COOL DOWN

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#bearding

[Joelel]

Temp has been in the upper 90's for about 8 days. I noticed a couple of days ago 1 hive had about 500+ bees on the front , packed around the entrance. Today i found 2 more doing the same, I opened the tops covers and put a 3/4 spacer in for ventilation, what do i need to watch for?

We put all screened bottom boards on our hives and build them so we can slide a board in for the winter.My Son and I build all our own bodies,suppers and all. We put screen over our top cover hole to keep the bees in and the beetles out and also you can vent the top with spacers.You can also drill up holes in your suppers and put screen over the holes,that vents good.