porch bees

[bill]

Just a dumb question     why are there on one of my hives always a bunch of bees on the porch.  I mean hundreds

[Brian D. Bray]

Bearding.  To many bees for the hive to hold, especially during the warmer part of the day.  In some cases the bearding can occur 24/7.  A slatted rack between the bottom box and the bottom board will do much to cure the problem.

[Michael Bush]

With serious bearding you'll have tens of thousands.  But more room and more ventilation will usually take care of that kind of beard.