Ah ha!!! Dearth, no dearth

[BlueEggFarmer]

I believe I have finally figured out when there is a dearth without opening the hive.
Dearth - bees washboarding hive.
No dearth - no bees washboarding hive.   :-D

[paulybee]

What does that mean...washboarding?

[BlueEggFarmer]

the bees are on the outside of the hive going forward and backward in short little movements, looks like they are scrubbing. I figure they must not have any flowers to visit so there is time to scrub the hive clean.

[Robo]

If it were only that simple :roll:

[KONASDAD]

I do beleive that when they have less to do, you find more bees at home during the day. They gather before dusk earlier than normal, congregate at entrances longer and the like. W/o a flow there is less to do.

[Cindi]

So, that makes sense.  They are very much like us humans.  When the weather is poor, we work inside, clean house, the bees do the same thing.  So cool to be able to observe nature's wonderful scenes.  Have a wonderful day, great life.  Cindi

[randydrivesabus]

i think when its hot out and theres no flow to speak of they are drinking cool ones at the pool.

[Gail Di Matteo]

Or chasing you around the yard, when you innocently want into your work shed..... :)

[mat]

It might be true. My bees are home very early, at 6 pm they are already bearding even though the weather is beautyfull, and washboarding all night. And to confirm that there is dearth my scale hive is loosing about one pound a day.