Why would bees be doing this? See picture

Could be just warm weather bearding, or if they are all drones, they could be officially kicked out.

Just a pleasant summer's evening spent hanging out on the back porch. Looks like normal bee-havior to me.
I would not mess with them though. They might get upset and start crawling on you if you try to break up the party.

It's been hotter than it was today, and they didn't bead this thick. They clustered around this "entrance", but in a single layer. They are piled on top of each other here. Earlier in the day, about 4:00, they were like this, but around on the side, not on the front.

Well, bees do interesting things up on Copperhead Road!
Mine are bearding a bit here too, but I messed with them a little too harshly today, maybe. Last full inspection of the year. Queens have stopped laying, still lots of brood and some young larvae.
Worried my mite treatments started too late. Will know in 6 months. Wet, cold summer but still got some honey. Feeding starts tomorrow.
Best regards,
Brian

JohnLeePettimore said:

It's been hotter than it was today, and they didn't bead this thick. They clustered around this "entrance", but in a single layer. They are piled on top of each other here. Earlier in the day, about 4:00, they were like this, but around on the side, not on the front.

Click to expand...

My hives have been bearding more recently. I think it has been a mix of it has been hot and there are also more bees in the hive, so more are hanging out on the outside of the hive. Here I think the flow has slowed down so there are less bees going out and getting lost forging but the hatching has not slowed down yet.

Thanks everyone. I guess I just assumed that it wasn't hot enough for "bearding", since it was almost dark. After I posted originally, I realized that it actually had been a pretty hot day. I grew up in the heat, so I tend not to notice once I'm out in it for a while.

JohnLeePettimore said:

Thanks everyone. I guess I just assumed that it wasn't hot enough for "bearding", since it was almost dark. After I posted originally, I realized that it actually had been a pretty hot day. I grew up in the heat, so I tend not to notice once I'm out in it for a while.

Click to expand...

Who knows. My bees beard when it's seemingly cooler on some days and don't when it's warmer on other days. And then it's raining and they're bearding like crazy, and the next it's dry and they're not.

jimbo3 said:

Who knows. My bees beard when it's seemingly cooler on some days and don't when it's warmer on other days. And then it's raining and they're bearding like crazy, and the next it's dry and they're not.

Click to expand...

I'm in my second year, and I find the exact same thing. My theory is it has to do with humidity and barometric pressure as well, not just temperature, but what do I know? I'm not a bee!