can a new package swarm

[biltay8]

Hello everyone, I was just out at my hives when I noticed a lot of bee covering the front of the hive. Is this swarming activity or are they just trying to cool the hive.. It has been in the 90's the last couple of days. But this is a new hive, I just installed this package April 2 2011. It has been growing really fast. I have taken a few brood frames from it and put them into a weaker hive..
So my question is can a hive that is only 2 months old swarm..
Thanks Bill

[Daddy'sBees]

They are just hanging out on the porch if you will.

[TIMER]

Biltay8,

Yes they can and sometimes do, I lost two packages this year within a week of installing them. Not sure exactly what happened but they just all left.
However, I think your bees are just cooling off.

[HONEYDEW]

Like the other replies just to hot for them, you should put a small twig or Popsicle stick under one edge of your lid so the air will circulate better through the hive...

[TIMER]

I never see this on my screened bottom boards, but all the time when it's hot out and their on solid bottoms.

[NasalSponge]

Just to keep things clear there is a difference between swarming and absconding. Swarming is the colony splitting for procreation, absconding is the entire colony leaving for whatever reason.

[TIMER]

NS,

When they abscond do you think they leave a few at a time or do the all go together?

[Daddy'sBees]

You can put a queen excluder at the entrance trapping the queen inside. They may still swarm, but they return to the hive when they realize the queen is not with them. This is very cool to see! It is like you out smarted them somehow. In reference to cut-outs, they may try to swarm a couple of times before they make the hive their new home.

[NasalSponge]

I see your point.....just didn't want there to be any ambiguity for newer folks.

[TIMER]

I would guess that more than one activity could be called a swarm

[biltay8]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm still a little confused, but I guess thats part of the learning process..
I do have a screen bottom board. So should I still try and prop the lid up a little for air circulation..
Thanks Bill

[Michael Bush]

Bearding is directly related to swarming. But yes I've seen packages fed constantly until they swarmed.