Out with the drones

[mnist]

I know that drones are thrown out of the hives when cold weather starts, but today I noticed that the drones in one of my hives are being shown the door and it's the middle of July.

It's kind of funny to watch - although he's 25% larger than the worker bees, there's little he can do as one of them determinedly escorts him out of the hive and over the edge of the bottom board. I saw four of them being put out in under five minutes.

Granted some of them simply fly right back into the hive after they are dumped but I get the feeling that regardless how much they fight it, these drones' days are numbered.

Any explanations why this might be happening now? Is it unusual?

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First Year Beekeeping Journal: http://s00r.van.wessem.net:81/mnist/blog/

[Michael Bush]

Maybe there is a nectar dearth and they just want to cut down on the mouths to feed? They do throw them out anytime they don't want to feed them or don't feel a need for drones at the time. The question is what would bring them to that conclusion now. Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[GAbee]

If its just a couple of drones they might be old or diseased and they are being escorted out just like old/diseased workers.

[This message has been edited by GAbee (edited July 09, 2003).]

[mnist]

As of this morning they were still putting a couple drones out. Just out of curiousity I'd like to peek in the hive to see if any are left.

People told me to start with 2 hives so I could always compare one's progress with the other. This has been excellent advice!

One hive makes textbook progess (as much as possible, considering these are bees while the other one constantly keeps me guessing.

I wonder if this hive's drone dumping is somehow connected with the swarm they had about a month ago? hmmm

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First Year Beekeeping Journal: http://s00r.van.wessem.net:81/mnist/blog/