bees congregating on outside of hive body.

[Beehappy]

:(I was outside this evening around 7:00 pm CST and noticed on two of my hives a ton of bees congregating on the outside of the boxes. I could hardly see the boxes there were so many bees on there. It was a very hot day today, around 95 degrees or so. Are my bees getting ready to swarm or were they just trying to cool of the hives? Any help would be appreciated.

[TwT]

with that temp, they are just cooling out side, do you have a SBB and top entrance or top ventalation? your hives could be becoming a large population and could swarm soon just watch for queen cells, but the main reason they are outside is because its so hot there....

[Beehappy]

I don't have a SBB or a top entrance on either hive. I've been working 7 days a week for the past couple of months and have neglected my bees. We are in a pretty severe drought here, but the flip side of that is that the mesquite are bloomin like crazy and I've noticed my bees on em. I was planning on requeening this year, but I missed my club's deadline to order so I was just going to let it ride. I think you are probably right about them cooling off. I hope so. Thanks.

[mick]

I agree with ted, mine did that last summer when it got over 90. I sprinkeld them with some water, they seem to like it.

[Michael Bush]

When they are bearding I try to provide more ventilation.  Pull the tray out of the SBB, prop up the inner cover (or whatever cover).  Once you provide ventilation they always move back inside, provided, of course, you have empty space in the supers.