Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: tillie on May 02, 2006, 05:15:24 pm

Title: Crazy hive activity - are they preparing to swarm?
Post by: tillie on May 02, 2006, 05:15:24 pm

I work all day every day and am home to wave good-bye to the bees as they begin their foraging for the day and then in the evening as they are gathering back at the hive.

Today I came home at 4 PM and there is crazy activity at one of my hives.  Many bees are swirling in and out of the hive and buzzing loudly.  Perhaps this is new brood orienting to the hive - they seem to be flying up, turning around and looking at the hive and making huge circles.

Am I in for a swarm or is it something that probably happens every day and I'm just not here for it.

BTW, it isn't happening at my other less vigorous (more peaceful) hive.

Here's a picture that doesn't begin to encompass the craziness - maybe the blurs do!

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2006/05/wild-and-crazy-bees.html

Linda T in Atlanta :?

Title: Crazy hive activity - are they preparing to swarm?
Post by: Understudy on May 02, 2006, 05:38:31 pm

I get the afternoon frenzies also. It seems like my hives alternate between who is going to have the frenzy. I use to think I was being robbed.  Then I actually watched it a couple of times. Basically what happens is the bees go on a massive run. Just outside the hive. They run all around the entrance area. It is fascinating to watch. It usually takes about 20 minutes and then it calms down. It is very cool to watch.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Title: Crazy hive activity - are they preparing to swarm?
Post by: Jerrymac on May 02, 2006, 06:12:45 pm

As bees come of the age to start foraging they go practice oreintation so they can find the hive when they go out on their own. This usually occures in the afternoon. (about four)

With that entrance feeder you have I would closely watch for robbing activity. Does it appear to be any fighting? Does it appear to be any heavy bees trying to leave as if they were loaded with syrup?

Title: Crazy hive activity - are they preparing to swarm?
Post by: tillie on May 02, 2006, 06:15:51 pm

So far I haven't seen any robbing activity.  Generally the bees seem to keep to their own hives.  I do have carpenter bees in my yard, but haven't seen them at the hive.  Maybe the squirrel I heard moaning on my deck tried to rob and was stung!  

I don't know when to remove the feeder.  I haven't put a honey super up yet and thought that when I did that, I would remove the feeder????

Linda T

Title: Crazy hive activity - are they preparing to swarm?
Post by: randydrivesabus on May 02, 2006, 06:55:42 pm

there must be some heavy nectar flow in atlanta ga this time of year.