[ATLharrison]

For the last several nights my bees have been out late. They are in a tight cluster around the entrance, feeder, and up the east side of the hive. What is going on? It has been hot and humid here in Atlanta with a nice rain shower most afternoons. Are they hanging outside the hive to keep cool? Are they too crowded? Do we need to add more housing / super? See the attached iphone picture taken at 11:00 PM?

 

[disc999golfer999]

When was the upper super added? It doesn't look like that many bees to indicate over crowding as a factor. What was the temp at 11 pm? If they have been having rain in the afternoon and you have that entrance feeder you could be introducing additional moisture into the hive. Is the hive at a slight tilt forward so any water accumulation would run off? Usually the bees are bearding in front of the hive on hot days to regulate temperature.

I would check for moisture content and puddling inside the hive. Try tilting it forward to see if water runs out. Have you taken a look inside to see if they are overly saturated with bees?

 

[ATLharrison]

It has been 15 days since I added the super. The hive is perfectly level with a screen bottom.

 

[Bees In Miami]

Pull that feeder out...and any remnants of a reducer...that will help. Make sure your bees have enough space to expand, though that is not a large beard.. Just keep up with them.

Edited to add...think of them sitting on our own front porches...Hot? Maybe....Enjoying the night? Maybe... Crowded? Maybe.... Only the bees and you can come to a conclusion. Good luck!

 

[WWW]

Atl,
Your bees are trying to remove the heat from inside the hive, prop up the front of your outer cover by placing a 3/4" block of wood between your inner and outer cover at the front of the hive this will give the hive more ventilation through the inner cover hole. I do this when the hot humid weather of summer arrives and remove the block later in the fall.

 

[Acebird]

What does the top box look like. If you do like Bill says and the top box is drawn and you don't see a reduction in bearding add another box.

 

[Ravenseye]

They're hot and cooling off.

 

[FlowerPlanter]

>Why are my bees out late at night?

Cause you didn't give them a curfew:lpf:

Next their are going to be staying up all night and drinking.

 

[MaydayMalone]

I think that you've answered your own question......it's hot and humid in Atlanta....not to mention that all of your bees are back from foraging and it is crowded. My bees have been doing the same thing here in NE PA.

 

[Michael Bush]

It's summer.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#bearding