What is this strange behavior???

[annette]

Went up about 1/2 hour ago to check on bees after work. Well on the ground in front of the weak hive were many bees just walking around in the grass.  Not directly in front, but a few feet away. Some bees were doing orientation flights at the same time. Do you think these are bees that got lost doing orientation flights???

I would say it was around 20 bees at quick glance. Maybe they do this every day and I just did not notice as they are sort of buried in the grass.

thanks for the help
Annette

[Kathyp]

can't help, but did you get your swarm and recover from your sting??

[annette]

The swarm on the tree branch left shortly after the man called me. Another swarm he had down on his property along side a shed,also left rather quickly. What he does have is 2 swarms that landed into 2 supers he had sitting under his carport. He is going to keep these 2 and he told me they both have queens. Unbelievable!!! 

I did not see them with my own eyes so I am not sure, but he has been beekeeping for 6 years so must know what to do. I suggested he place a frame of brood and eggs and honey to help them along. (and feed if he doesn't give them honey)

My sting is better. The first 2 days were the worst, then horrible itchiness, (I am sure you all know).  Thank you for asking and remembering.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Annette

[tillie]

Are the bees walking around drones? 

I often see drones wandering aimlessly on the ground in a group in front of the hive. 

I think the bees cast them out any time they are in the way, it's too hot, or they are just tired of dealing with them  :-D

Linda T in Atlanta

[annette]

They are all shapes and sizes on the ground.

I am concerned because I just this morning found some dead bees laying all over the ground. The hive looks healthy otherwise from the outside. Tomorrow I will get inside to see how they are doing.  Perhaps this is nothing.

Thank you
Annette

[Michael Bush]

Perhaps pesticides.

[Kirk-o]

Maybe you could look a little closer to let us know if it is alot of drones or workers that might help figure it out

observation helps beekeepers thats why I got glasses
kirko

[annette]

I think I have a problem.

Looked really close today and they are definitely worker bees - look smallish in size. I found about 15 of them walking around on the ground this evening looking like they are drunk and falling over. There are more dead bees on the ground also. (not a huge amount - 25-30) I know this is not large numbers and so I am not worried yet.

I will get into this hive tomorrow and take a look, but my gut feeling tells me that it is pesticides. If I did not see this activity and just looked at the outside of the hive I would think they are ok. (although I think the activity has gotten a bit less these past few days) Also this is my weak hive, if that matters.

Anyway if it is pesticides what can I do??  Obviously the whole hive has not been affected, unless they are going to die out slowly.

Advice is appreciated

Annette

[annette]

Well, I checked out this hive today and inside everything looks normal. There were more dead bees on the grass around the hive, but I did not see that strange activity today. Hopefully this problem is solved, because now I have another problem with my one strong hive.

Went into my one and only strong hive today, did a complete check right down to bottom brood box because I wanted to make sure they had enough room.

Well I saw one supersedure cell and one queen cell (queen cell was rather large and open on the very end). I did find larvae c shaped. I never can find eggs. But I believe they have a queen just from the activity.

They are making lots of honey, have plenty of room right down to brood box and everything else seems normal. I did notice the brood pattern got a little lighter than last month, but not out of the ordinary. They have room in all boxes.
What gives????? Why do they want to leave now???

Annette

[JP]

To bee or not to bee is the question. Bees will be bees. Only they really know what they are doing, but keep an eye on them. That hive with the bees in the grass, I would do a sugar shake to rule out mites.

[Michael Bush]

>What gives?Huh? Why do they want to leave now???

One supersedure cell is not evidence they want to leave.  If there's a larva in it (which I doubt) then they want to replace the queen.  If there is not a larva in it, it means absolutely nothing.

But if there were 12 swarm cells on the bottoms of the frames, it still wouldn't mean something was wrong.  It would mean the hive had succeeded well enough that it is trying to reproduce.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

[annette]

I love this sort of advice. Makes me feel so much better that things are going on course.

Thank you
Annette