Bees on the ground

johnwm73 · July 06, 2008, 08:45:33 PM

I was doing an inspection today on my two hives that I started this year. Both are full of brood and honey with a super on top just in case they need it for room. But in front of the second hive after I did the inspection I noticed 5 bees on the ground and not attempting to get up and fly off. One was a drone the others were workers. I picked up the drone on my hive tool and he didn't fly off but fell back to the ground. Same thing happened to the worker I picked up the same way. Should I be concerned or is this probably just old workers and drone? The other Hive didn't have any in front of it.

JP · July 06, 2008, 09:37:39 PM

Did you check their wings? You might want to do a sugar shake and check for mites.

...JP

johnwm73 · July 06, 2008, 10:05:49 PM

No i sure didn't. I just noticed they were trying to clean themselves but wouldn't try to fly. I even tried breathing on them to see what happened and it didn't even move its wings.

JP · July 06, 2008, 10:36:00 PM

Quote from: johnwm73 on July 06, 2008, 10:05:49 PM
No i sure didn't. I just noticed they were trying to clean themselves but wouldn't try to fly. I even tried breathing on them to see what happened and it didn't even move its wings.

Sometimes you will see some dead or dying bees after a swarm. I would do a sugar shake/mite count and keep an eye on them.

...JP

Moonshae · July 06, 2008, 10:43:01 PM

I always thought the crawling bees were worn out foragers who made it back. I often see a few drones around. I'm going to split heavily at the end of the month, not sure I want to treat now.

johnwm73 · July 06, 2008, 11:06:24 PM

I had some powder sugar in reserve just for this. I was also thinking of splitting but I better wait to see what happens.

KONASDAD · July 07, 2008, 03:59:45 PM

Sometimes the heat can get a few to crawl too. Most likely answer is mites. Look at wings like JP said. Also look to see if they are "young" bees. Look for lots of light colored fuzz. If they are young, mites. If they are dark, little fuzz, they are old foragers in all likelihood.