Swarming On Outside Of Hives

[Jonathan67]

I am a retired wildlife research biologist, but not a beekeeper yet.

A friend from PA sent me  photos of solid swarming on the outside of a hive that he thought may be caused by the hot humid weather:

This was my e-mail response to him:

"Do you have more than one hive exhibiting that behavior, or just that one?

I am not a beekeeper, but wondered if overcrowding is ever a problem at a hive, even if heat inside is not a factor as it would be cooler in the spring than now. Did it ever happen earlier, or just now during the hot humid weather you mentioned?

Is it possible that the openings for their wing ventilating activity inside are blocked from free flow of exchanging the air?

My father raised bees when I was a kid and I never saw swarming on the outside of the hives in the dead heat of summer."

Thought I would stop over here to get a professional answer. Am I close in any way, or is it some other type of swarming behavior.

Thank you for your considerations.

Regards,

Jonathan

[John Schwartz]

"Do you have more than one hive exhibiting that behavior, or just that one?
I am not a beekeeper, but wondered if overcrowding is ever a problem at a hive, even if heat inside is not a factor as it would be cooler in the spring than now. Did it ever happen earlier, or just now during the hot humid weather you mentioned?
Is it possible that the openings for their wing ventilating activity inside are blocked from free flow of exchanging the air?
My father raised bees when I was a kid and I never saw swarming on the outside of the hives in the dead heat of summer."

Welcome, Jonathan. :)

This is called "bearding" and quite normal this time of year if the weather is warm. "Swarming" wouldn't be quite the right term to use as that refers to a mass of bees leaving the hive into the air to find another location.

[Jonathan67]

Thank you, John. Just the answer I was looking for.

Jonathan

[Cheryl]

Careful, Jonathan...... learning about bees can be very addictive!! :shock: :lol:

[Jonathan67]

Cheryl, I suspect so! I can attest to numerous addictions of this nature with an unbridled and very unquiet mind over 67 years of learning how to do different things when "stung" by an insatiable interest inoculated with curiosity. It a daVinci thing.

Jonathan

[buzzbee]

Propping up the top a little helps to regulate the heat too.