View Full Version : bearding at upper entrance too !
cdanderson
08-04-2007, 07:19 PM
Its very hot and humid here so I expected bearding at the bottom entrance in the evening. I was amazed at the ball of bees at the top entrance - seems they would be blocking the hole and making the hive hotter.
I have one deep and one super on - this is a new hive so it shouldnt be overcrowded. I planned to put on another super with foundation (dont have any drawn comb) but with no flow they wont draw comb.
Has anyone seen this before.
charlotte
http://webpages.charter.net/charlotteda/beekeeping/8107b.jpg
power napper
08-04-2007, 07:30 PM
The bees most likely are crowded due to nectar being evaporated--they are telling you that they need more room.
mistergil
08-04-2007, 09:03 PM
Yes, I've seen that as well. It doesn't appear abnormal to me.
cdanderson
08-04-2007, 09:12 PM
I'm glad someone else has seen it.
The only thing I have to give them is foundation and I've read that they wont do anything with it without a flow ?
Speculation, I think that they cluster on the outside so that there is more space between the frames for air circulation so that the house bees can cool the hive. I notice that the bees cluster in the evening and the cluster grows as it gets dark and the forgers settle in for the night. Before daylight all the bees are in the hive. Temps at dark 95 to 103 F at daylight 60 to 65.
Brent Bean
08-05-2007, 04:28 PM
Don’t look abnormal at all, you could improve your ventilation by using screened bottom boards. This in only one good reason to be using them, in the era of Varroa mites they are an important part of integrated pest management. They are fairly easy to make and you can get plans on this web site.
cdanderson
08-05-2007, 05:36 PM
Yes Brent, I already have screened bottom boards (I should have said that..sorry) also the ventilated inner covers. I'm sure they are just cooling but I dont want them to get mad and leave :)