Sound from one hive

[ZuniBee]

The bees are flying from all four hives. I have been sitting and watching them for a long time. One of the hives is making a loud crackling noise. I did a search on the forums and found queen piping and actually listened to the file...it is not that. The sound is like wood crackling. My son says it has been doing it all day. The bees are active around the front of the hive and they are going in and out just like the other three hives. This one just makes a crackle noise. Any idea what this is?

[Mici]

Wood worm LOL, have the same noise

[Kathyp]

robo bees?

[ZuniBee]

Ha ha wood worm and robo bees!  I cant get enough of watching them but that crackle noise never stops...

[Kathyp]

did you look inside to make sure things are ok?  no mice eating your comb or anything?

[ZuniBee]

I just put them in the hive yesterday evening and there is only foundation. I have it closed up with an entrance reducer with just the 1/2 inch opening. I didn't want to open it since I just hived them yesterday. I thought I saw a small piece of wood in the bottom of the hive when I dumped the bees in....maybe 1 inch by two inches and flat. Maybe they are trying to get it out. Maybe I should remove the entrance reducer so they can push it out!???

[Mici]

ummm, wood worm?? why the laugh? do you have styrofoam hive or something?
i had to replace a whole side of a hive, eaten to the last bits!

[Kirk-o]

You can use good beekeeping practises just slowly open the lid and take a peak
It is stange to have sound comming out like that
Put your gear on and take a look ---then let us know it will be ok
kirko

[ZuniBee]

ummm, wood worm?? why the laugh?

Mici - I read your post wrong...you had the LOL after wood worm so I though you were joking. My hives are brand new and just put outside yesterday. Hopefully is isn't wood worm.

You can use good beekeeping practises just slowly open the lid and take a peak
It is stange to have sound comming out like that

I just came in from the hives. The bees are now all inside as the temperature has dropped quite a bit. The noise has stopped. Tomorrow if the noise starts again I will slowly open the hive and see what it is. Hopefully I can just leave it alone.

[Michael Bush]

Usually they are chewing on something when you hear crackling.

[ZuniBee]

Maybe they are chewing on that small piece of wood from the package. Should I remove it or just let it be since I just put them in the hive?