What's up with these beards?

[tillie]

I have three hives on my deck.  All of them have screened bottom boards and slatted racks.  All of them have propped tops.  Today (also yesterday and several days before) when I got home from work in the 90 degree heat, here's what the hives looked like:



I haven't harvested from the left most hive - the top box is empty.  Would harvesting the two boxes below the top box help with ventilation?  Any other ventilation suggestions?

Linda T in HOtlanta

[G3farms]

That looks about normal to me, I have a couple of hives that there are 2 to 3 pounds of bees on the front at night and then they thin out during the day.

It is just hot and humid here and I'm sure it is in GA.

G3

[John Schwartz]

Have you tried ventilation tops before? Not sure how well they'd work in your climate but I'm really pleased with the results this year in the Northwest--no more condensation and better airflow.

[jimmy]

It's been in the tripple digits here. Late in evening hives have 3 supers on them with bees bearding all way up and below bottom board 2-3 inches. I just vented tops today with props. I think you'll be  ok if you have space inside. Keep plenty water fort hem they drinking heavy even at window A/C. I have a pool and a bath tub full of water for them . It's just HOT!

[RayMarler]

Putting a box with mostly empty drawn frames on the bottom of the stack will reduce bearding. I think it helps with field bees coming in the end of the day in the heat, gives them somewhere to wait while things cool off. It may help with their cooling of the hive with air circulation. Just guessing here. Something to try if you're concerned. It's turned warm here over last several days and my bees are covering the front of the bottom box and more in this heat, at the end of the day. By morning, they all inside but going to work as the dutiful girls they are!

[iddee]

They look a little weak. This time of year there should be at least a three box beard on hives that size. Maybe you need some stronger queens.   :?   :-D

[tillie]

I hope you're kidding - I've never had a three box beard!  Or maybe that's something to strive for  :evil: :evil: :evil:

LT

[Bee Happy]

My "quirinol" hive has a huge beard every night, thing is the honey super I built that went right above the brood box has a gap in it of about 3/8"; they use it a reasonable amount as an alternate entrance, and I am certain, a good bit for ventilation. (I'm still a noob, but the learning curve here is exponential - for what it's worth.

[Joelel]

I have three hives on my deck.  All of them have screened bottom boards and slatted racks.  All of them have propped tops.  Today (also yesterday and several days before) when I got home from work in the 90 degree heat, here's what the hives looked like:



I haven't harvested from the left most hive - the top box is empty.  Would harvesting the two boxes below the top box help with ventilation?  Any other ventilation suggestions?

Linda T in HOtlanta

Field bees hang around out side at the end of the day after work.

[jimmy]

Field bees hang around out side at the end of the day after work.  HE: HE:   Joelel wrote, Is it Miller time?  :)

[iddee]

Half kidding, half serious. I never worry about bearding. It just means the hive is doing well.

[Brian D. Bray]

Try taking your old solid bottom board, turning them upside down and using them as tops.  It will better ventilate the hive and provide an upper entrance both of which will greatly reduce the bearding.  All my tops are solid reversable bottom boards, if I want to reduce the vent/entrance I use a regular entrance reducer.

[annette]

OK here I go again.  I use these top covers and although we have temps into the high 90's and low 100's all summer, I never have any bearding anymore.

http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/season-inner-cover-p-50.html?osCsid=eb515e7fa19314cf8b77425b22515624

[Bee Happy]

neat cover Annette, thanks for posting it.