Honey bees in my garage lots of them

[LoriMNnice]

So I don't even have bees yet but I bought a bunch of used woodenware etc. so I have been scorching the used pieces it in my garage. 
For the last couple of days I have been noticing a honey bee here and there on the boxes etc. well today there are by my guess a couple of hundred in a medium box that has gunky used comb in it . I was real surprised when I pulled up a frame and I saw about 50 bees on it then pulled another and the same I quit looking after that because they started flying around LOL
Are they just cleaning the comb?

[David McLeod]

Probably so since it is a little late for a swarm. News have a strong attraction to bees and anything that has held bees. I keep a few empties stacked on my porch (no comb or wax) and I always spot a few checking them out every day.

[yockey5]

I would suspect so. My guess is that in the spring time you will have some free bees moving in.

[VolunteerK9]

Its probably not a swarm thats moved in being this late in the year, but hey, stranger things have happened. One thing for sure though, you definitely have a hive thats reasonably close. Build you a swarm trap or two and hang for next year.

[LoriMNnice]

Ok I went to go feed the feral cats and I could hear buzzing from the garage so I looked and there are even more bees so many more I can hear them from 4ft away. I tried to look in the box but could not get a good look but I could see bees between all ten frames. I should try and get some pictures. I'll check when it gets dark to see if they are still there.

[Kathyp]

if they are still there tonight, you attracted a late swarm.  if they are gone (most of them) after dark, it's just hungry bees hoping to find some leftovers.

[buzzbee]

Honeybees are hoarders. If flows slow down,they will seek out other nearby sources such as other hives. You can see weak hives get robbed this time of year . And how much weaker can you get than an empty hive box? Be careful,yellow jackets and wasps will also be hitting the sweets if they are hungry.
I have seen a lot less bald faced hornets the last two weeks.

[Michael Bush]

If they are clustered you may have a swarm.  If they are working, they are gathering propolis.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#propolis
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/RosinWaxAsPropolis.jpg

[LoriMNnice]

I checked at 10PM no bees, so it is not a swarm just bees getting whatever they want to get and taking it back home. it will be fun to watch them for awhile maybe I can learn something but I am going to move the box out of garage to the outside front of the garage :) I did how ever find my missing chicken she was sleeping on the lawn mower seat.

[Kathyp]

it's a good sign.  you have bees around. put any boxes that you are not using, out there early in spring.  you may catch a swarm or two.