bee - havior: bees hanging out more than usual...

Bee1 · June 05, 2007, 12:21:50 PM

I've been away for a handful of days and before I left I noticed a change in bee behavior. Now that I'm back it seems more even pronounced.

Ever since my last adventure into the hive â€" to put a guyâ€™s screened board on â€" Many bees, many more than had been, have been just hanging out on the entrance not doing much. It seems to me that before, the bees seemed to have an agenda and something to do or someplace to go. They were coming and going â€" they would land and walk right in or they would come out and fly away. Now many sit. :-\ :(

Is this normal? Could I have killed or hurt the queen? Other thoughts?

I hope to go in the hive either later this afternoon or tormorrow depending on my schedule and weather - to have a look-see. Thoughts or suggestions to guide my next hive inspection welcome.

Thanks all

Bee1 - back from the beach

KONASDAD · June 05, 2007, 12:28:35 PM

If they are hanging around one bee in one spot and they all face the same direction and they sway on their little legs, thats called washboarding. Normal & cool looking behaviour.
If they are gathered in bunches , particularly in the evening , they are hot and there are too many bees to fit in hive as foragers are home. A slatted rack will help w/ heat and additional room. A vented top also helps w/ heat.

shakerbeeman · June 05, 2007, 01:25:52 PM

I have the same situation with one of my new hives. As I am building up the colony from a package I installed 5/14 I now have 2/ 8 frame mediums topped with a slatted rack. Perhaps this suggests it's time for the next box. I am of coarse anxious for the hive to grow but don't want to rush things. I pulled the Boardman feeders a week ago and they seem to be doing fine. I figure the new hatch should begin any day given 21 days plus a few for the queen release. Wonder if I will see any noticeable difference?

Scadsobees · June 05, 2007, 02:33:12 PM

Make sure that they have enough room. Add a box if they don't.

Make sure that there is sufficient ventilation in the hive. Is the SBB open or shut?

They will often do this if the hive is congested with bees or if there isn't enough ventilation and is too warm/humid to hang out inside the hive.

It is normal in hot and humid weather.

Rick

shakerbeeman · June 05, 2007, 03:11:47 PM

As newbees we worry about all things. Should I find only 5 1/2 frames full on the top box do I then wait another week to add the next box or go ahead. If the main concern is to keep the hive small and warm this time of year should be fine temperature wise.

KONASDAD · June 05, 2007, 03:25:56 PM

Quote from: shakerbeeman on June 05, 2007, 03:11:47 PM
As newbees we worry about all things. Should I find only 5 1/2 frames full on the top box do I then wait another week to add the next box or go ahead. If the main concern is to keep the hive small and warm this time of year should be fine temperature wise.

Generally wait until at least 8 of ten are drawn and capped. Temp isn't the biggest conscern even in Conn right now. Its the bees cant protect all of the hive. Makes them more subject to robbing, small hive beetle, wax moths etc. A package might never get beyond two deeps the first year.

shakerbeeman · June 05, 2007, 04:05:07 PM

Well I am working with all mediums so all things are a bit different. I figure 6 out of 8 frames full and add. Agree as you point out not to add too fast but to find a happy balance. From what I read it seems safer to leave 4 medium 8 frame boxes for the colony to winter over. In this cooler climate I may not get beyond that this year in terms of harvesting honey. Best to learn first.

Bee1 · June 05, 2007, 05:20:08 PM

I just took a quick look at the entrance and I think they are washboarding. If so, thats a relief.

Here's a picture. The angle is weird because I was hovering over the side of the hive trying to stay out of the way.

I took video too -- but don't know if I will be patient enough to upload it to ImageShack. It made it up so here it is.

I still need to get in and check out how much space they have and decide whether they need more ventilation.

The sbb I have doesn't have a way to close it, so yes, it is open. And I have the top proped up too. I've been thinking about a slatted rack but didn't know if I needed one with an sbb and I don't have one so would have to buy.

Now that we are talking about heat. I realize my husband built me a brick hive stand... great job and very sturdy and a nice height off the ground too but didn't think about the heat storage and absorption till now... Do you think this will this be a problem?