Some Hard Rules in Bee Behavior

Started by Ben Framed, January 31, 2022, 04:28:44 PM

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Ben Framed

January 31, 2022, 04:28:44 PM
I have heard that bees will not collect pollen and nectar on the same trip. Today while feeding open sugar water and open pollen, I observed a 'few' bees doing both. Bees with pollen on their legs while collecting sugar water.

Have you noticed other 'hard rules' being broken by your bees?

Phillip

The15thMember

#1
January 31, 2022, 04:43:42 PM
An interesting topic, although I think the only hard rule with bees is there are no hard rules!  :cheesy:  Keep in mind that in your particular case pollen-collecting bees may stop for a personal drink of nectar before returning to the hive, and they aren't actually gorging themselves on nectar with the intent of carrying it home to make honey from it. 
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.
https://maranathahomestead.weebly.com/

Oldbeavo

#2
January 31, 2022, 04:55:38 PM
We make the rules but bees have their own rules which we usually do a bad job of trying to interpret.
You must remember that the rule makes in bees are female, so unless some of you gurus out there have worked out the minds of the fairer sex, they make the rules, change the rules and break the rules when they feel like it. So do bees

Ben Framed

#3
January 31, 2022, 05:15:35 PM
 :shocked: :grin:

Ben Framed

#4
January 31, 2022, 05:26:50 PM
I will give you another one. I checker boarded five, 5 framed overwintered nuns converting these into 5 frame doubles. Placing empty foundation less frames in between the established brood frames my first Spring 'before' I was told 'never' do this.
It was to late after it was done and success was already achieved..  Lucky? Maybe; But successful just the same.. 

Phillip

G3farms

#5
January 31, 2022, 05:56:20 PM
bees are bees, and do as they please!

A mated queen can not fly..........
Couple of years ago thought I would try some of B Weavers out of Texas, in the cage for three days and still not released, I let each one of them out and they went straight back to Texas never to be seen again. Cutting out a bee tree and could not find the queen, very clean open hollow trunk. Older keep said I think you will find the queen over on the shed roof where other bees had started to  congregate, sure enough 20 yards away there she was.
those hot bees will have you steppin and a fetchin like your heads on fire and your keister is a catchin!!!

Bees will be bees and do as they please!

Ben Framed

#6
January 31, 2022, 06:05:13 PM
Quote from: G3farms on January 31, 2022, 05:56:20 PM
bees are bees, and do as they please!

A mated queen can not fly..........
Couple of years ago thought I would try some of B Weavers out of Texas, in the cage for three days and still not released, I let each one of them out and they went straight back to Texas never to be seen again. Cutting out a bee tree and could not find the queen, very clean open hollow trunk. Older keep said I think you will find the queen over on the shed roof where other bees had started to  congregate, sure enough 20 yards away there she was.

I know how you felt as you watched her fly away! I bought some form Barnyard Bees in Georgia to have one get away from me. They were shipped in the little wood California queen bee cages and all had been placed in place a day or so earlier and were released except one if I remember correctly. Any way I though I would go ahead and release her. When I pulled the other cork while aiming her toward the frames off she went! I could have kicked myself in the rear! I left a crack in the top area of the box and luckily she came back on her own.. I think our problem is a mated queen that has shipped will slender down pretty quick, enabling her to fly, just like an older mated swarm queen will slender up before the swarm.Thanks for your reply!

Phillip

TheHoneyPump

#7
February 01, 2022, 01:58:11 PM
The only bee rule that I have never ever observed violated is:
.. IT DEPENDS ..
When the lid goes back on, the bees will spend the next 3 days undoing most of what the beekeeper just did to them.

guitarstitch

#8
February 04, 2022, 01:28:33 PM
Quote from: G3farms on January 31, 2022, 05:56:20 PM
bees are bees, and do as they please!

A mated queen can not fly..........
Can't say I've ever heard that one...  it would make swarming very difficult.  ;)
-Matthew Pence/Stitch

Ben Framed

#9
February 04, 2022, 01:57:54 PM Last Edit: February 04, 2022, 02:08:26 PM by Ben Framed
Quoteguitarstitch
Can't say I've ever heard that one...  it would make swarming very difficult.  ;)

Hi guitarstitch,
Under Normal circumstances, they can't fly or fly very far has been my experience. I have done cutouts and not being able to find the queen in the cutout area, have found her on the ground just below. Usually with a ball of bees protecting her the best they can. But; When the 'special time' of swarm preparations comes around, this changes everything including the ability of the mated queen to fly. Once she has slimmed up and the time is right, off they will go... 

Phillip

Bill Murray

#10
February 04, 2022, 06:18:25 PM
Quote from: G3farms on January 31, 2022, 05:56:20 PM
bees are bees, and do as they please!

A mated queen can not fly..........
Couple of years ago thought I would try some of B Weavers out of Texas, in the cage for three days and still not released, I let each one of them out and they went straight back to Texas never to be seen again. Cutting out a bee tree and could not find the queen, very clean open hollow trunk. Older keep said I think you will find the queen over on the shed roof where other bees had started to  congregate, sure enough 20 yards away there she was.

I sit here chuckling about this one it has happened to me more than once. NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
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