Bearding a sign of Overpopulation ????

BeeHopper · August 03, 2007, 10:50:56 AM

I have a hive with the following: SBB, SR, 2 deeps, 2 supers, the hive outer cover is propped up about 1 inch above inner cover, shade from 1 pm on and I still have excessive bearding at nightfall, I am using the truck's headlights to observe this. I am starting to think this hive needs to be divided. Adding another super is in the plans, but I doubt it will help. Is a SPLIT needed ? All I have left for woodenware is 3 nucs ad a few supers. BTW, they're Italians. What would YOU do ?

reinbeau · August 03, 2007, 11:06:27 AM

Is it hot and humid? If your hive is strong there's lots of bees, they're just sitting on the front porch trying to cool off.

Mici · August 03, 2007, 11:15:59 AM

why splitting a hive that has all the potentials to brind you a whole lot of honey?
make a check and decide on what to do (how much honey is inside, does the queen have room to lay eggs in etc etc)

BeeHopper · August 03, 2007, 11:37:42 AM

Quote from: reinbeau on August 03, 2007, 11:06:27 AM
Is it hot and humid? If your hive is strong there's lots of bees, they're just sitting on the front porch trying to cool off.

Yes, it is HOT and HUMID , in the 90s. It is a strong hive indeed. :-D

BeeHopper · August 03, 2007, 11:38:38 AM

Quote from: Mici on August 03, 2007, 11:15:59 AM
why splitting a hive that has all the potentials to brind you a whole lot of honey?
make a check and decide on what to do (how much honey is inside, does the queen have room to lay eggs in etc etc)

Good Point :-D

steve · August 03, 2007, 12:18:56 PM

So speaking of the "honey flow in Jersy" when does it start? Is it in progress or is it over? Adding more supers with just foundation in them propably won't make a lot of differance, room wise unless there is a flow on.....ventilation wise, sounds like you'er already doing the right things,
The flow here in the foothills of NC (sourwood) is over and the harvest has begun and it really is looking GOOOD....
good luck,
Steve

MrILoveTheAnts · August 03, 2007, 01:11:21 PM

I believe the flow here in Jersey is over. All the clover here has stopped blooming (though one or two are still around) and the bees seem to only be working the Winged Sumac. Of course I might still get some fall honey when I take the boxes off later this year.

BeeHopper I think I'm right down the street from you. One of my 3 hives is bearding all over the lower box. I tried adding another super to them but that didn't help any. Will the bees only move back if the comb is built out?

BeeHopper · August 03, 2007, 07:37:27 PM

Golden rod will be out soon :-D My bees are still pollinating a variety of squash and soon to bloom pumpkins. There is some kind of flow going on down here in the Mullica Hill/ Mickleton areas, because the field bees are coming and going at a high rate as late as 6pm. I wish there was a way for me to monitor how far my girls are foraging ( 9 hives ). I am going to leave the bees alone for now, beard or no beard :-D

amandrea · August 03, 2007, 09:49:04 PM

I'm in central Jersey, rt 28 and 287. I have the screened bottom board tray out and the cover proped up high and the bees are bearding. Los of feild bee traffic and they are having difficulty getting out and landing because of the beard. I'm going to have a good flow when the Japanese evasive plant along the creek comes into bloom. The bees like it so much they will completely ignore the golden rod.

Brian D. Bray · August 04, 2007, 01:07:11 AM

If you're concerned about bearding make use of a slatted rack before resorting to splitting. The slatted rack gives the bees some extra space within the hive in which to hang out and also a place from which to circulate the air. I usw 2 on each hive--top & bottom.

BeeHopper · August 04, 2007, 08:29:23 PM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on August 04, 2007, 01:07:11 AM
If you're concerned about bearding make use of a slatted rack before resorting to splitting. The slatted rack gives the bees some extra space within the hive in which to hang out and also a place from which to circulate the air. I usw 2 on each hive--top & bottom.

SBB & SR on hive now as stated in the original post, I do like the 2nd SR on top idea. :-D

Michael Bush · August 05, 2007, 10:53:32 AM

Bearding CAN be a sign of overpopulation or it CAN be a sign of not enough ventilation or it CAN be a sign it's just plain hot outside. I always try to make sure the brood nest is open, there are plenty of supers, there is plenty of ventilation coming in the bottom and out the top (wide open bottom or SBB and propped up or top entrance). Then I don't worry about it anymore.