Washboarding

Van, Arkansas, USA · May 20, 2018, 12:08:33 AM

May18, 2018 my bees started washboarding, kinda early for my area. Usual month is June, this year there was a better flow if that has any thing to do with it.
Blessings

Oldbeavo · May 20, 2018, 12:26:47 AM

What is "washboarding"? Not a term used in southern downunder.

BeeMaster2 · May 20, 2018, 01:05:12 AM

Washboarding is when the bees look like they are licking/cleaning the front of the hive. They go forward and look like they back up cleaning the wood. They do this over and over.
My 6 stack medium hives are doing it also. Good flow this year and I do not have 128 commercial hives right on top of me this year.
Jim

Dallasbeek · May 20, 2018, 12:33:14 PM

There are some good videos of bees washboarding online. Interesting behavior.

Acebird · May 20, 2018, 03:33:52 PM

A large hive needs to be out of the hive when there is nectar to dry so as not to interfere with ventilation. It is kinda like KP in the military. Make work project.

BeeMaster2 · May 20, 2018, 04:28:59 PM

I think you are right about that Ace.
Jim

Van, Arkansas, USA · May 20, 2018, 05:42:34 PM

Ace, very well thought out. You may have solved this mystery of washboarding or at least shine some light on the issue. Have a pleasant evening.
Blessings

iddee · May 20, 2018, 06:42:23 PM

I think what they are telling you, Ace, is that you are so full of it you could fertilize 30 acres of pasture.

Acebird · May 20, 2018, 06:51:21 PM

People wonder why my garlic grows so nice...
What is your take on washboarding ID?

iddee · May 20, 2018, 06:54:34 PM

My take is, it's still a mystery.

My take on bearding, tho, is to regulate the population in the hive to control the temperature, as you seem to think washboarding is.

Acebird · May 20, 2018, 07:45:25 PM

I have seen them washboard in cool temperatures. Goldenrod comes in the fall up here and some years it comes pretty hot and heavy. Yes I do think the bees washboard when it is hot but I don't think that is the only reason.

iddee · May 20, 2018, 08:07:30 PM

I thought we were discussing why, not when.

sc-bee · May 20, 2018, 08:20:56 PM

Quote from: Van, Arkansas, USA on May 20, 2018, 05:42:34 PM
Ace, very well thought out. You may have solved this mystery of washboarding or at least shine some light on the issue. Have a pleasant evening.
Blessings

DOUBT THAT

beepro · May 20, 2018, 11:07:48 PM

My thought is that they have nothing to do when there is a dearth. So rather than sitting around doing noting they
are cleaning the top bars for a slick and shinny look. Caught them doing it in one year. I posted that they are too hygienic but got
a big laugh out of that. They said I don't know the difference. Oh well, live and learn!

AR Beekeeper · May 21, 2018, 10:55:44 AM

If you notice the way the bees touch the surface of the hive with their mandibles and antenna leads me to believe they are applying pheromones to the surface. I never see this activity until there is a slow down or a halt to the nectar flow, but most activities become secondary to gathering nectar during a nectar flow.

beepro · May 22, 2018, 05:50:22 AM

Yep, right after the flow during the dearth with nothing to do. Time to clean up the house a little.