Bearding question - I think

[ziffabeek]

I searched bearding, but I still have some questions I hope ya'll can help me with.

My bees are clumping underneath the hive.  Yesterday afternoon (5:00 - 5:30ish until about 8:00) the clump was about as big as a, well between a large grapefruit and a small canteloupe.  Completely under the hive.  This morning the clump was smaller, more like an orange, but there were 3 -4 chains of bees hanging down in loops off of the clump.

It has been hot here, so I first assumed it was normal, but they aren't all spread up the hive, like I've seen described here.  They are in a tight clump - almost like a cluster.  when I look in the entrance it looks like they are all crowded down at teh bottom on the inside as well.  So I'm confused as to how clumping together would help them cool off? And worried this is something else.

The hive is 2 deeps (brood) a medium (that is full and capped) and a deep (only box I had prepared when I realized the medium was full) that was about 50% drawn and just starting to put nectar in 2 weeks ago.  I have not had time to look at them since.  This spring has been way too busy. /sigh.

So, I'm planning on going into them tomorrow to see how crowded they are, and I have a medium ready to put on them now.  But I'm wondering if they are really crowded if I should go ahead and split them?  If I split them doing a walk-away, how far away do you need to place the "new" hive? Even though the flow is supposed to be over now, they still seem to be flying HEAPS and if they've filled that deep - would it be better to wait until the flow is completely done to try and mess with them?

I keep thinking I have enough boxes, but man! they fill up fast.  No one told me this was such a pricey hobby!

Thanks for any thoughts or advice.

love,
ziffa

[D Coates]

See if they are building comb under there.  If they aren't, I'd add the super and maybe an upper entrance or put the outer cover on sideways to allow better airflow through the hive.  If they are you may have a swarm there.  Is you queen clipped?  When was the last time you did an inspection, and did you see eggs?

[annette]

Give them ventilation. Prop the top up a bit with popsicle sticks.

[ziffabeek]

Thanks guys,  I have propped the top up to give them as much ventilation as I can.  And I have observed a lot of fanners on the front porch, so it could just be the heat.

I last inspected brood in April.  I saw the queen and small larva, but I don't remember if I actually saw eggs.  If she's stopped laying, it has to have been recently, because there are a LOT of bees in the hive and I've seen orientation flights regularly.

I'm thinking they just might be full and hot.  But jeez, if they've filled that deep already!  I guess I better figure out my harvesting plan . . .

I'll try and knock them off tomorrow and see if I see comb. It is a screened BB though, and the inside bees look all grouped right on top of the clump. Vewy Stwange.

Well, I guess I won't know til I look! Thanks for the suggestions!  I hope it's not this hot all summer.

love,
ziffa

[AllenF]

With the heat index over 100 degrees in Atlanta, maybe the bees would be more happy in central air installed.   Or maybe a window unit propped in front of the hive.   It shouldn't be that hard to install.  Something to think about.

[iddee]

HARVEST.................

Remove any fully capped frames, extract or crush/strain, put the empties back.

[luvin honey]

Regarding the walkaway split, I did one last year and moved the split into the hive nextdoor, about 1.5 feet away. I pulled from 2 hives to make a split. What were probably the foragers fought a bit, but the rest were nurse bees and didn't bat an eyelash. Good luck!

[Michael Bush]

They well beard anywhere they can hang and preferably in the shade, which under the hive is...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#bearding

[ziffabeek]

Thanks everybody!

Michael, thanks for telling me they'll hang anywhere.  All the descriptions I read described them up the side of the hive, so I'm happy to hear that under is normal too.

When I went in this morning, all the hanging bees were gone, so I guess they were out being busy.  I checked a brood frame and it was beautiful  Very solid, capped frame of brood with some larva on the edge.  The frames are packed!  The deep super is about 70-80% drawn but I didn't see any capped honey.  I put the deep on top of the brood and moved the full medium to the top. 

Iddee, I want to harvest, but this weekend is packed with company from out of town, father's day and lantern parade workshops!  I need another me.  I have another medium ready to put on the hive.  Will it hurt the honey to wait until next weekend to harvest? Will the full frames make the bees more likely to swarm?

Luvin - thanks!  That is good to know, because the is about exactly where I want to put the second hive.  I think I am going to wait until after July 4th and then give it a go and see  what happens.  Wish me luck.

Thanks again for all the replies.  You guys always help me rest a little easier!

love,
ziffa

[tillie]

Ziffa,  Since we are both in Atlanta, mine have on several occasions hung below and under the hive.  I think it's cooler there than in the front....FWIW,

Linda T in Atlanta