Just want to make sure this is normal...

Candiebears · June 11, 2015, 10:04:41 AM

So the weather is getting hotter, very quickly in SNJ. It was 70? at 7am this morning.. and all the girls were gathered at the entrance.. Is this normal?

I have my entrance reducer on, as we have a lot of hornets & wasps. Should I take this off?

Also any suggestions on how to keep water near them? I have a water bowl next to the hive, but they don't seem to like it.

Thanks again guys!

OldMech · June 11, 2015, 10:13:40 AM

No worries, they are just hanging out. When it gets HOT they will all come out and hang out.. its called bearding, it tells me how strong the hive is. They clear the combs so air can be circulated "Swamp cooler" style. Some bees bring in water, and they evaporate it to keep the internal temp of the hive down.

Candiebears · June 11, 2015, 11:50:11 AM

Quote from: OldMech on June 11, 2015, 10:13:40 AM
No worries, they are just hanging out. When it gets HOT they will all come out and hang out.. its called bearding, it tells me how strong the hive is. They clear the combs so air can be circulated "Swamp cooler" style. Some bees bring in water, and they evaporate it to keep the internal temp of the hive down.

I have one of these...

Should I put that on?

mikecva · June 11, 2015, 12:00:52 PM

I have a 1/2" vent under the inner cover to help with air flow. I still get the bearding, so I would not worry.

-Mike

Michael Bush · June 11, 2015, 12:04:35 PM

For a reasonably strong hive this would be normal:
http://www.swarmcell.com/wp-content/gallery/bearding/img_3491.jpg

For a REALLY strong hive this would be normal:
http://stepplerfarms.com/Honeyblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_0017.jpg

Candiebears · June 11, 2015, 12:20:56 PM

Quote from: mikecva on June 11, 2015, 12:00:52 PM
I have a 1/2" vent under the inner cover to help with air flow. I still get the bearding, so I would not worry.

-Mike

How do I install this? I'm so confused about this. Lol. I put the top board upside down last time.

capt44 · June 11, 2015, 01:35:21 PM

I place the inner cover with the vent notch down.
Make sure you slide the top forward to keep it open.
Slide the top back to close it.

OldMech · June 11, 2015, 04:31:48 PM

I do the same as Capt44 I dont use screened bottom boards, even when its 105 in the shade, the bees will keep the inside of the hive cool by evaporating water and circulating the air, they just need to get everyone non essential out to make it efficient. They will be fine, look at the pics Michael posted and be ready!

tjc1 · June 11, 2015, 09:18:45 PM

The original photo just looks like girls getting ready to head out for work in the morning to me, rather than bearding.

Candiebears · June 11, 2015, 09:59:54 PM

Thank you!!! I came home today and the whole front of my hive was covered with the girls. My hubby thought they were not doing to hot and was all upset!! Told him thank god I posted to the forum today or I would've come home andhad a heart attack!!!!

MikeyN.C. · June 12, 2015, 05:34:11 PM

I'm a newbee,but i put out 5 different size water pans with rocks, (plastic) 2 green,2 black, 1 white, they will only drink from white pan , don't know why but i know they're drinking.:)

Rurification · June 13, 2015, 01:35:26 PM

Candie- Thanks for asking this question. I went to solid bottom boards this year and really think that it helped the colonies build up better....then it got hot and even though I expected some bearding, I was a bit surprised by the sheer numbers.

Michael and OldMech - thanks for the photos and tip about noting hive size by how many bees are hanging out in the heat. Very helpful!

My hives are much stronger than I thought.

Colobee · June 14, 2015, 09:47:38 AM

When/if you remove the reducer, you can put a couple short blocks of wood (2-3") - one to either side - to open it up without going full wide open.

I have strong Italian hives that go that way all summer. I don't worry much about robbing because this seems to prevent most of it. Would be robbers are less inclined to pull a "full frontal assault" - they'll try to slip in along the side, which these little blocks inhibit. Inhibiting the beginnings of robbing can be crucial to preventing a round of "all out" robbing.

biggraham610 · June 14, 2015, 11:32:30 PM

Yeah, Like Colobee said, I just use random length pieces of 3/4" furring strips to adjust the entrance to what is necessary. During a good flow, they are almost all the way open, during a dearth, sometimes as little as a couple bee widths. G

divemaster1963 · June 14, 2015, 11:45:23 PM

I use the bearding to gagemy hives too. Plus look close and you willsee the bees on one side of the entrance facing and fanning in one direction and the other end they will be facing the other direction fanning. Inside they will be facing the same way to direct the airflow up,over and down and out. Really neat the way they do it.

John

Candiebears · June 15, 2015, 11:48:33 AM

Quote from: divemaster1963 on June 14, 2015, 11:45:23 PM
I use the bearding to gagemy hives too. Plus look close and you willsee the bees on one side of the entrance facing and fanning in one direction and the other end they will be facing the other direction fanning. Inside they will be facing the same way to direct the airflow up,over and down and out. Really neat the way they do it.

John

I saw this.. It was amazing!!