Hi all, I have a hive that has been washboarding for at least a week, mostly on the landing board. It has been rainy with broken sunshine every once in a while for the past month :-( , at least that is how it seems! Seriously, does this behavior indicate any issues with the bees' health or within the hive? T I A
I have a hive that has been doing the same thing for the past 3 weeks and haven't noticed a problem with them, yet.
From Michael Bush's website:
"A few times a year some new beekeeper wants to know what the bees are doing line dancing (rhythmically swaying) on the landing board. This is called "washboarding" and actually no one knows why they do it, but they do. Personally I think it's a social dance. Perhaps even a thanksgiving dance. "
They've been doing it a lot here as well. Same kind of weather. They like to do it when there is moisture on the surface of the hive. I took this video of mine doing it a few days ago.
Our couple of stronger colonies seem to start it when the nectar flow is slowing down.
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