what do bees do in rainy weather?

[charles]

Got a low pressure system sitting over our area that should stay for most of the week. What do bees do with themselves when you've got about a solid week of rain and some wind? I figured they'd just sit in there and eat. Maybe the queen would get some laying on.

Anybody know for sure?

[Natalie]

I think they play scrabble. :-D

[crowhammer]

A few of mine seem to fly between the bouts of more inclement weather. This rain really slows them down though, doesn't it.

[Bee Happy]

If I had an observation hive. (maybe next year) I might be able to tell you for sure.
I saw mine crowded near the entrance like a bunch of kids dying for it to quit so they could go out and play
-like before video games...

[John Schwartz]

I spent a year watching my bees in my top-bar observation hive. On cold days (about 90% of the time here in the Northwest), they just bunch up into a cluster and stay warm. A few will move about to feed/take cleansing flights.

[rast]

 I checked the ones here at the house after it let up a little yesterday evening. I saw several making quick short flights, probably cleansing. One empty feeder bucket blown off, put it back and and a brick on it.
Looked at another, they were playing poker, not scrabble :-D.
They all said, thank the Lord for the rain, now maybe something will bloom.

[asprince]

If it is cool and or raining and they are crowded and packed in the hive, they will build queen cells and swarm when the weather clears. I saw that a lot this spring. 

Steve 

[Natalie]

I inspected my hives a few (nucs installed 5 weeks ago) days ago, maybe 5 and then we had rain off and on all week, just real gloomy and wet.
I peeked in today to check on their syrup levels and they had built a few more combs (on foundationless frames) since the other day.
It appears mine just took syrup and built combs.

[BeeHopper]

I think they play scrabble. :-D

I laughed !!!  now I have to clean the ginger ale off my keyboard. 

[Rodni73]

On rainy days my "wise Ladies" bees cluster in the top "Bronx" deep and hold a conference between the 5 families on how to rob, extort and wack the adjacent hive  :mrgreen:! lol

-Rodni 

[Keith13]

On rainy days my "wise Ladies" bees cluster in the top "Bronx" deep and hold a conference between the 5 families on how to rob, extort and wack the adjacent hive  :mrgreen:! lol

-Rodni 

So you have italians from sicily or palermo to be exact? :-D

Keith

[rickomatic]

So you have italians from sicily or palermo to be exact?

My Italians trade pollen spaghetti recipes and make honey gelato.