bees crawling from hive

[catminy]

 I began beekeeping in May - installed two 3ld packages into two hives.  Everyday I walk around the garden where the hives are located.  I usually see a couple of bees crawling away from the hives.  I looked at some of them with a magnifying glass and I didn't see any mites.  Their wings aren't deformed but they seem to rub their bodies as if to be scratching.  Are they older bees leaving home or do I need to check for disease?  I don't use pesticides in my garden.  By the way, thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and experience.  I've learned more from this site than from the books that I've read.

[Irwin]

My guess is old bee's :)

[G3farms]

if they are old field bees the edges of their wings will be ragged and tattered why they have worn them out, their fuzz will be less also from all of the grooming.

G3

[charles]

They are what we call "retirees". Old bees that are done with working.

[luvin honey]

Not to get all emotional about it, but it's really kind of sad when you think about it. They work themselves to death, quite literally, and then walk away to die.  :'(

[catminy]

  I thought maybe that's what was going on.  It is sad.  I watch at least two or three crawl away every day.  Bless their little hearts!

[Michael Bush]

A lot of crawling bees is a sign of Tracheal mites (not Varroa mites).  A few is normal.