Bees clustering around the entrance

pawel_knychas · January 04, 2019, 05:22:32 AM

Hi all,

It is 8pm, we had a very hot day today around 35C but it is 25C now

and my bees are clustered outside beehive entrance. What does it mean?
I am guessing that it might be too hot inside or not enough space inside?

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Acebird · January 04, 2019, 09:53:23 AM

Welcome.
Is that a feeder at the entrance? Does the hive have ventilation? When does the sun go down?

CoolBees · January 04, 2019, 01:05:46 PM

Hopefully, others who know a lot more than me, will chime in ...

But, I know it can depend on genetics of the bees. My friend has a hive that beards at the entrance year round. I created 2 hives from that hive of his. One of mine clusters outside the entrance yr round also - from the time they were 2 frames, till now at 3 Nuc boxes full. I tried everything to stop it, as did he with his. Nothing worked for either of us. The bees do what they want to.

The other hive I have from this genetics has never done this.

... there are many other reasons they might do this though.

MikeyN.C. · January 04, 2019, 01:30:47 PM

A little information.
Where do you live?
Hive type and set up?

TheHoneyPump · January 04, 2019, 03:03:28 PM

-What does it mean?-

It means the bees had a great day and they are hanging out on the porch watching the sunset. Absolutely normal.

Also if you are having 35/25 days, your summer season, the entrance should be expanded and left open for up to 20cm wide. The bees will not be hot. However, they do need space for fanning ventilation to control humidity and dry all that nectar they collected today.

Hope that helps!

herbhome · January 04, 2019, 09:01:11 PM

Welcome to Beemaster Pawel,

It would be very helpful if you would put your location in your profile. It's nowhere near 35C where I am.

pawel_knychas · January 05, 2019, 03:26:10 PM

Quote from: Acebird on January 04, 2019, 09:53:23 AM
Welcome.
Is that a feeder at the entrance? Does the hive have ventilation? When does the sun go down?

Hi, no it is not. I have an internal feeder and it is not being used right now. Yes it does. Sun goes down between 8-8:30. Thank you

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pawel_knychas · January 05, 2019, 03:28:43 PM

Quote from: MikeyN.C. on January 04, 2019, 01:30:47 PM
A little information.
Where do you live?
Hive type and set up?

Hi,

I live in Australia Jervis Bay NSW. Have a top bar hive.

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pawel_knychas · January 05, 2019, 03:29:23 PM

Quote from: TheHoneyPump on January 04, 2019, 03:03:28 PM
-What does it mean?-

It means the bees had a great day and they are hanging out on the porch watching the sunset. Absolutely normal.

Also if you are having 35/25 days, your summer season, the entrance should be expanded and left open for up to 20cm wide. The bees will not be hot. However, they do need space for fanning ventilation to control humidity and dry all that nectar they collected today.

Hope that helps!

Thank you

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pawel_knychas · January 05, 2019, 03:33:08 PM

Quote from: herbhome on January 04, 2019, 09:01:11 PM
Welcome to Beemaster Pawel,

It would be very helpful if you would put your location in your profile. It's nowhere near 35C where I am.

Hi, my current location is in my profile. It is a bit too hot....

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Acebird · January 06, 2019, 08:38:09 AM

Quote from: pawel_knychas on January 05, 2019, 03:26:10 PM
Sun goes down between 8-8:30.

Bees hanging out around a small entrance. Agree with post to make larger.

MikeyN.C. · January 06, 2019, 10:49:24 AM

If you can't open entrance , you can always prop one side of top for a top entrance if you're not worried about robbing.

SiWolKe · January 06, 2019, 01:11:27 PM

A hot day ( 38?C), but the bees had no problem living outside for some time, they just went back in partly after sundown.
Only bees which cooled the hive and the foragers went inside. The others chilled.

[attachment=0][/attachment]

paus · January 06, 2019, 03:01:15 PM

DSBB stopped my bees from clustering on the outside of the hive.

SiWolKe · January 06, 2019, 03:37:12 PM

Quote from: paus on January 06, 2019, 03:01:15 PM
DSBB stopped my bees from clustering on the outside of the hive.

What?s DSBB?

paus · January 06, 2019, 04:00:37 PM

Double Screen Bottom Board. I make mine bee proof and almost always have a used aluminum casserole dish that I hand form to fit and put 3/4 inch of used fish frying oil in the dish between the screens. This catches mites and SHB, small hive beetles. Someone pleas correct this I don't know how, its not a new thread

Update by eivindm: Moved your post in here where it was supposed to be :-)

BeeMaster2 · January 06, 2019, 07:22:12 PM

Quote from: SiWolKe on January 06, 2019, 01:11:27 PM
A hot day ( 38?C), but the bees had no problem living outside for some time, they just went back in partly after sundown.
Only bees which cooled the hive and the foragers went inside. The others chilled.

[attachment=0][/attachment]

Was that picture taken today. If so, that is very surprising.
Jim

herbhome · January 06, 2019, 10:27:12 PM

Quote
What?s DSBB?

I think Double Screen Bottom Board

SiWolKe · January 07, 2019, 01:43:24 AM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on January 06, 2019, 07:22:12 PM

Was that picture taken today. If so, that is very surprising.
Jim

No, it was taken summer 2017.

It is my belief that bees are keeping the temperature like an air conditioning system, a closed floor and smaller entrance helping. They need a water source near though, but not many bees were to be seen at my water container. If a hive is opened this effect is gone and the bees struggle much more to cool the hive.
I never understood why beekeepers think they should stay in the box. Wild honeybees in tropic areas live outdoors too.
I never open my hives when it is over 30?C.