Bees sitting around

FRAMEshift · August 10, 2011, 09:50:15 PM

This is something I have not seen before. Several of our hives have big clumps of bees under the open screened bottoms. They just hang there, all day, every day. They don't go back in the hive. They don't go foraging during the day. I think they are not eating anything. They just sit.

I also noticed some strange behavior on the inside of another hive. Many of the bees were sitting very still on the frame... row after row of bees one or two layers think, all oriented with their heads facing up, toward the sky. They were not moving at all. At first I though they were dead, but they moved when I pushed them with my finger.

All I can think is that these bees have nothing to do because we are in a severe dearth right now. Maybe they are just conserving energy until some source of nectar appears. Anyone have an alternative explanation? Is this a common event?

slacker361 · August 10, 2011, 10:04:05 PM

looking towards the sky..... maybe they are praying for a flow to happen?

:evil: :evil:

Kathyp · August 10, 2011, 10:16:49 PM

the hives have plenty of food in them?

sc-bee · August 10, 2011, 10:21:18 PM

>All I can think is that these bees have nothing to do because we are in a severe dearth right now. Maybe they are just conserving energy until some source of nectar appears. Anyone have an alternative explanation? Is this a common event?

They have contact with the other bees through the screen. It is similar to a beard on the outside of a hive. Also would be similar to a slatted bottom board. Just cooling it! Just my thoughts, for what they are worth ;)

FRAMEshift · August 10, 2011, 10:33:36 PM

Quote from: kathyp on August 10, 2011, 10:16:49 PM
the hives have plenty of food in them?

Yes, I just did a round of feeding last week. They took several gallons of 3:2 per hive.

FRAMEshift · August 10, 2011, 10:36:44 PM

Quote from: sc-bee on August 10, 2011, 10:21:18 PM
They have contact with the other bees through the screen. It is similar to a beard on the outside of a hive. Also would be similar to a slatted bottom board. Just cooling it! Just my thoughts, for what they are worth ;)

Yes, I think you're right. But normally a beard is in the hot part of the afternoon. These bees stay in a clump all day and all night. They do not move at all.

iddee · August 10, 2011, 10:51:35 PM

I would put a mite count board in for 3 or 4 days to see what they did. If they are there after that, I would check the clump for a queen.

FRAMEshift · August 11, 2011, 12:10:32 AM

Quote from: iddee on August 10, 2011, 10:51:35 PM
I would put a mite count board in for 3 or 4 days to see what they did. If they are there after that, I would check the clump for a queen.

iddee, have you ever seen what I described on the frames? Bees in rows, all oriented in the same direction and not moving?

mikecva · August 11, 2011, 07:37:13 AM

Also check if they are drones. This is when my workers start taking the remote away from the drones and the 'boys' just stand there and die. :buttkick: :lau: :lau: :lau: -Mike

iddee · August 11, 2011, 12:29:33 PM

Can't say that I have or haven't. I wouldn't take notice of something like that. I believe I have read about bees going quite on a regular basis, "sleep?" I would think what you seen was natural.