Drones coming and going

[Landphil]

While working near my hive yesterday (repairing a section of fence that blew down onto the hive) I was repeatedly interrupted by the loud droning (pun) of what appeared to be drones (big) coming and going from the hive.  They seemed to be readily accepted back into the hive after their flights, although they did barge right on in with a distinct swagger and no hesitation.  My question is this: how long does the hive tolerate these moochers partying all night and coming back home to munch and crash before they get read the riot act, told to grow & up get a job...?   Thanks

[adgjoan]

how long does the hive tolerate these moochers partying all night and coming back home to munch and crash before they get read the riot act, told to grow & up get a job...?   Thanks

Ya really!! You'd think they were only good for one thing.

Joan in KY

[Michael Bush]

I don't know about where you are.  Ours were thrown out a few weeks ago.

I think drones get a bad rap.  They work just as hard as the workers as evidenced by their short life span.  They leave every afternoon and fly until they are exhausted every day trying to continue the species.  If the bees believed they were worthless they wouldn't spend so much work raising them...

[bmacior]

They leave every afternoon and fly until they are exhausted every day trying to continue the species.

spoken like a true male.   They go cruising with their buddies to see who they can pick up for a good time.

They work just as hard as the workers as evidenced by their short life span.

They have a longer life span than the workers; who we might add don't die of old age, they work themselves to death.


Put another log on the fire.
Cook me up some bacon and some beans.
And go out to the car and change the tire.
Wash my socks and sew my old blue jeans.
Come on, baby, you can fill my pipe,
And then go fetch my slippers.
And boil me up another pot of tea.
Then put another log on the fire, babe,
And come and tell me why you're leaving me.

[Miss Bee Haven Bee Farm]

They leave every afternoon and fly until they are exhausted every day trying to continue the species.

spoken like a true male.   They go cruising with their buddies to see who they can pick up for a good time.

HAHAHAHAHA  ROTFLMAO

I know thats how it is around my neck of the woods.

[Landphil]

I don't think that they worthless, I was curious as to how long they would be accepted back into the hive after their mating flights.  Looks like I open up a subject worthy of a new thread, judging from the he said/she said, all in good fun though-thanks

[bmacior]

Drones are accepted back in the hive as long as the workers aren't concerned about the food supply. 

[johnnybigfish]

I got so many drones flying right now that it sounds like an airport out back!
your friend,
john

[Landphil]

Now that is excellent advice!  Thank you bmacior- landphil

[rast]

 I watched mine getting booted out back in August. A queen raiser near me told me last Sat. that they started feeding back in August.

[gottabee]

Drone numbers are dwindling fast around here. Last year I spotted one or two drones throughout the winter season.

[Greywulff]

Don't think their is a drone to be seen in any of my hives now or my next door neighbour hives Temp's have dropped here in Ireland rapid. Nothing new there
weather is always crap here In the emerald isle.  :-D :shock: :-D :shock: :? :? :shock: :-D

[JoelinGA]

Haven't seen a drone in my hives for some time, didn't see any drone cells for that matter with these last couple of inspections.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Interesting, I will be inspecting tomorrow ( Sunday ) and will see what drone activity is...

[Cindi]

I think drones get a bad rap.  They work just as hard as the workers as evidenced by their short life span.  They leave every afternoon and fly until they are exhausted every day trying to continue the species.  If the bees believed they were worthless they wouldn't spend so much work raising them...

What a feel good statement, when I read that Michael, it made me feel really good.  Don't ask me why things affect me.  The drones do have such an important part of the honeybee colony.  These dudes do work hard, and are very dedicated to their important job.  How nice is that.....I love to watch the drones in my apiary.  They are amazing. 

This brings a memory to my mind.  When Brendhan and Janel were visiting at our place last summer.  He just HAD to get into my colonies. It still brings that smile to my face.  We were looking at the colonies, and I could just see his hands twitching!!!  He just couldn't wait to open up a box and look inside, and we did......now this is one brave man, you know the long hair that Brendhan has, well, narry a worry about bees getting stuck into it...he just barged in there, grabbed a handy hive tool that I always have sitting there and went right in.  Ooops, I am off topic a little bit, sorry, but hold on....got something to say.

It was funny.  I guess the drones here are big and he was flabergasted at the size of the drones, he had made some comments.  No clue where I was going with this, but I needed to speak, hee, hee.  Have that most wonderful, awesome and great day, great health wishes for us all too.  Cindi

[annette]

I am up here in Placerville California north of Sacramento and I do not see any more drones at all.

[Rachel]

I can sit for hours (if I had hours) and watch the girls dump out the drones.  About three weeks ago they were being dragged out one by one and even though it was sad, it was sooo funny!

[DayValleyDahlias]

Checked the hives today, production has decreased, and I see almost no drones...Placed part 2 of Apiguard treatment and put on entrance reducer as I think robbing may be going on...

That's it from Day Valley~*~

[asprince]

The girls were fighting the drones today at the hive entrance. It is starting to turn cool at night and the boys want to come in and the girls say no way.

steve

[bmacior]

sounds just like a girl! :-D