Observing the outside of the hive?

[rufus]

Is there anything to be learned by observing the outside of a hive?  I find I like to watch the bee's buzz around the entrance and the immediate area but I was just wondering if there is anything that can be gained by outside observation of a hive (not observation hive).

[FRAMEshift]

There is a lot to learn.  You get an idea of the relative population and activity of the hive by comparing traffic  to other hives.  You can see if the hive is bringing in pollen or not.  You can see drones coming and going.   

You can see some interesting behaviors acted out on the outside surface of the hive.  You can see bearding, washboarding, and robbing.  You can watch the bees fight off predators trying to get into the hive. 

And best of all, you can see happy bees coming and going.  They don't worry about politics or religion.  They don't worry about the stock market or Greek default.  They are a little concerned about the coming winter and they are focused on getting the next load of nectar or pollen.  :-D  Bees live in the moment.  Very Zen.

[Robo]

Get a copy of At the Hive Entrance  by H. Storch    It is a whole book devoted to knowing what is going on in the hive by just observing the entrance.

[Poppi]

I get a large charge watching the bees come and go.  I see the pollen they bring in, the guard bees checkin' the arrivals, the bees on the ground that get in my shoe and remind me, "hey! watch where you're steppin'..."   man that hurts on the ankle...   Don't know if it's true or not but I read somewhere, if you count the number of bees leaving and returning for one minute X 1000 that will give you an approximation of the colony size....   maybe summer time...  I know the activity has slowed a bit with the cooler weather for now.

[Michael Bush]

I would recommend you look the outside over well and decide what you expect to find and then open it up and see if you are right.  After a while, you will be right... :)

[rufus]

Thanks guys, I'll add that book to my Christmas list :-D

[annette]

I spent the first year of beekeeping sitting by the hive and watching. I saw the orientation flights, I saw the bees bringing in pollen, I saw bees fighting and being thrown out onto the ground (and immediately being attacked by a yellowjackets)

I saw so many things and learned so much. Mostly I enjoyed the experience and felt very mellow and happy.

I believe it is very important for a new beekeeper to do and learn.

[L Daxon]

You will also notice if the bees are fanning at the entrance to help with ventilation.

Checking the entrance may also alert you to pest or disease issues.  If you see a lot of Deformed Wing bees or others walking around in the grass, for example, or chalk brood mummies lying round.

I, too, am one of those who enjoy sitting by the hive just watching the girls come and go.

Linda D

[T Beek]

Watching.  Still one of my favorite pastimes :)

thomas

[AliciaH]

You'll find watching the entrance to the hive very addicting.  When I first started beekeeping, I had hives in the front yard.  I could walk by them multiple times every day and just monitor what they were doing and how things were going.

When I expanded, my husband booted my bees to the back field.  I couldn't believe how badly I missed those daily observations.  I get into my back field a lot, but I'm not there every day and a lot can happen between inspections!

Now I have 2-3 hives back in my front yard.  That addictive need to watch them is filled and they act as my "canaries".  Mostly it's just peaceful to walk by and know all is well, but if I observe something off with a hive in front, I know I need to hustle out to the back and check on them, too.

I guess the best advice I can give you is, get yourself a nice, comfy bench!

[beekeeperookie]

I love watching my bees early in the morning with a cup of coffee.  Now that I have them in a fence area, I plan on getting a camera system to watch them.

[Country Heart]

There is a lot to learn.  You get an idea of the relative population and activity of the hive by comparing traffic  to other hives.  You can see if the hive is bringing in pollen or not.  You can see drones coming and going.   

You can see some interesting behaviors acted out on the outside surface of the hive.  You can see bearding, washboarding, and robbing.  You can watch the bees fight off predators trying to get into the hive. 

And best of all, you can see happy bees coming and going.  They don't worry about politics or religion.  They don't worry about the stock market or Greek default.  They are a little concerned about the coming winter and they are focused on getting the next load of nectar or pollen.  :-D  Bees live in the moment.  Very Zen.

Newbee here...what is washboarding?   

[Robo]

Newbee here...what is washboarding?   

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/honeybee-washboarding/

[T Beek]

Great footage Robo.  Thanks!

thomas

[Country Heart]

Newbee here...what is washboarding?   

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/honeybee-washboarding/

Thanks Robo.  I've bookmarked your site and will check out more of your videos.   :)