Sometimes it is a swarm. Sometimes it's just a beard that is on a screened bottom.
You should be looking to see if they have any space left as a minimum. Swarm cells on the bottom of frames is another easy call. Any thing else you see, take a photo. Beesource is here to share.I have not opened it up to look inside as I'm not sure what I would be looking for.
thanks in advance for any advice!
Michael
I would definitely like another hive (I currently only have the 1) and was planning on a split this spring so if it really is a swarm, and I can capture it then that would be the ideal result. The current hive has 2 "honey supers" on it, the second I added just last weekend. I will put a nuc next to the clump and see if I can get lucky.I think there would be space inside if you have already had one swarm depart. Departure could be tomorrow if you wait. It may be be just breading. You could also offer a nuc to the bees under the hive. You do not need frames for that. If they go in get frames fast. You will be looking for capped or nearly capped cells. You will be needing to set up a second hive as an insurance hive to have another source of brood if you go queenless. Will you be adding supers? Sounds like a great time to start getting those drawn out.
How many bees do you want?
This definitely could be the case. I thought that maybe I had added the last super a little late. Interesting to know that there might be some lag there.You have your entrance opened fully I assume?
I had the same situation on a couple hives a week or so ago. I gave them more room, but it still took a few days for the bearding to decrease. It took a chilly rain to finally get them all back in.
If the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over expecting different results", does that not make beekeeping a very sane activity?:lookout:Beekeeping is a frustrating endeavor! So many questions with no definite answers :scratch:
I will open the original hive today and see where I sit with it. Would this be a "walk away" sort of split? I.e. take a few frames of brood/eggs with the bees attending them, a few with pollen/honey and simply move them to a nuc?Glad to hear; now back to your first hive. You need to inspect or you may have it continue to swarm away. It may be a good time to fill another nuc and add empty frames to your first hive.