bees on outside of hive

[LadySteelsheen]

so, I have a couple hundred bees just hanging on the front of my hive. They don't appear to be fanning, although there is definitely movement. What's up with this? Is it normal behavior, or is something wrong. This is my first year beekeeping, and although I've done my reading I'm still pretty clueless. Any help would be appreciated.

[rwilly]

I am a new keep also, but it sounds like they are "bearding"? Just hanging around on the porch, staying cool.

[Nature Coast beek]

Look something like this?



Bearding, normal when it's hot out.

[JRG13]

not even necessarily 'hot', they don't want to add their heat to the interior which helps regulate temperature better.

[sammyjay]

It is most likely bearding. It's a normal activity. Like JRG said they aren't necessarily hot, for example today was cooler and there was still a beard on the front of the hive and the entrance.


Nathan

[Mr.Beeman]

They're chillin, kickin back.
Maybe even washboarding (back and forth scrubbing motion) when they get bored.
All is normal nonetheless.

[Konrad]

Or outright tired, old, and had enough from hard work.

[lazy shooter]

Look something like this?



Bearding, normal when it's hot out.

Yo NatureCoast, would you explain your hive boxes? It appears you have a hive on a hive without any natural ventilation. This is just a curious minds thing, and I do thank you for your reply.

Lazy

[JRG13]

Maybe for queen rearing?

[waynesgarden]

I have a lot of nucs like that and occasionally get some bearding in hot weather. (I'm cutting the bottoms so I can install some 1/8" screening as I have on all my standard hive bottom boards.)

I've also seen bearding on nucs that were overcrowded and in need of more space. The bees have no where to hang out inside the hive.

Wayne