Got a couple of questions. This April, I captured a nice large swarm and put them in a 10 frame deep. They’ve been doing great the last few months. About a month ago, I added another deep, as they had the bottom deep almost full. I also added a screened inner cover (days get pretty hot here in Ok.) I also have screened bottom boards. Last weekend, I noticed that the bees were actually plugging up most of the front entrance with their bodies. Not covering the whole front….just plugging up the full opening, with the exception of a small place in the corner where the workers were continually going in and out. My hives (3) are on stands….maybe 3’ off the ground. I also happened to notice that there was a queen on the front of the stand. No other bees around her. She was actually a few inches under the lip of the hive, away from the other bees. I gently picked her up and placed her in front of the hive and she promptly made her way into the hive. Don’t know if she was “the” queen….but the workers seemed ok with her going into the hive.
Now for the questions. Was this possibly a virgin queen back from a mating flight…or what the heck is going on with her? Ha
Second question is that since I added a screened inner cover….is this possibly pulling in too much hot air and causing the bees to block the entrance? It was only about 95° that day. I’ve only had bees for 3 years now so I’m pretty much clueless as to what’s going on. Ha Past that….the new hive seems to be doing great. We have about 2 acres of blooming Vitex now, along with a fair amount of catnip….so the girls aren’t hurting for food.
Thanks!
Hoke
Now for the questions. Was this possibly a virgin queen back from a mating flight…or what the heck is going on with her? Ha
Second question is that since I added a screened inner cover….is this possibly pulling in too much hot air and causing the bees to block the entrance? It was only about 95° that day. I’ve only had bees for 3 years now so I’m pretty much clueless as to what’s going on. Ha Past that….the new hive seems to be doing great. We have about 2 acres of blooming Vitex now, along with a fair amount of catnip….so the girls aren’t hurting for food.
Thanks!
Hoke