Ball of bees

Started by carlosdacosta, May 26, 2013, 01:33:34 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

carlosdacosta

Yesterday morning I saw a ball of bees tightly clustered outside the hive. Temp is about 17 deg (Celcius) only. I've seen them beard outside on our rare hot sunny days when temp was more than 20, but it's not that hot today and rainy. And this cluster is really tight.

I was out for the afternnoon, and when I came back at 5:30 the ball was gone and the hive activity looked normal (pollen coming in, bees flying in and out).

This morning the ball is back.

Is this pre-swarm activity? Anything I can/should do? Any thots on this appreciated.




Carlos


Joe D

I have noticed mine sometimes gather up before they get started in the morning.  In the afternoon it is a good bit hotter, and they may be several out in front, not bearding yet though. 




Joe

Michael Bush

My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

carlosdacosta

Thanks. I thought that bearding was only for heat reasons. I now see that there are other causes.

Michael Bush

Here are a couple of booming hives in the summer, in Michael Palmer's apiary in Vermont:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/VBAPDF2.jpg
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Michael Bush

My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

duryeafarms