I have a TBH that I built by using 1"X8" lumber. I moved the girls into it about 2 weeks ago, and they have done very well. Since moving them in, I have done some fairly frequent inspections to make sure that everything was going well with them and have noticed no sign of any swarm cells or any other porblems... until tonight.
As I approached the hive around 7:30 PM, I noticed that there were many, many of the girls hanging in a cluster on the front of the hive. The ball was about three times the size of a softball and was hanging from the center of the entrance to the hive. Then I noticed that a smaller ball (about the size of a baseball) was hanging from the cover on one of the sides of the hive.
Anyone have any idea as to what is going on? I have made sure that they were not honey bound by placing an empty bar at the back of the bood area. I have also made sure that the brood area is not crowded by placing an empty bar in the brood area. And as I said, I have found no swarm cells. So, what's up with them?? And what, if anything do I need to do for them?
Thanks in advance for any information and help you may be able to give.
Beebiz