Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: 00dakota on June 04, 2007, 10:47:45 pm

Title: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: 00dakota on June 04, 2007, 10:47:45 pm
Hello,
My husband and I got our very first bee hive in Arpil of this year.  We put a super on the first of May.  This evening the bees are all bunched up around the front of the hive.  Could a hive this new be about to swarm?  Or course we have no second hive ready yet as we didn't realize this could happen this fast.

Thanks for any insite.

Ree
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: MrILoveTheAnts on June 04, 2007, 10:50:00 pm
It sounds more like they're bearding outside to cool the nest.
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: 00dakota on June 04, 2007, 10:55:49 pm
Thank you, now my heart rate can return to normal.
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: Understudy on June 05, 2007, 01:28:36 am
Prop open the top lid a little and let some of the hot air out. If they go back in it's breading. If they dissapear with half your honey it's a swarm.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: Michael Bush on June 05, 2007, 07:28:37 am
Just sounds like bearding to me.  I try to increase ventilation until they go back inside.  A Screened Bottom Board (SBB) will help.   Propping the lid up will help.  Two shingle shims make a nice prop for the lid, but any stick will get by.
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: 00dakota on June 05, 2007, 09:36:27 pm
That makes sense.  I was wondering what would keep the bees from filling the gap with honey if we propped it open and left it.  Just leave it up to cool off and then close.

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: Understudy on June 05, 2007, 09:38:18 pm
Just leave it open and don't close. Until the weather cools down.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: Michael Bush on June 06, 2007, 07:49:54 am
>I was wondering what would keep the bees from filling the gap with honey if we propped it open and left it.

Nothing.  But it scrapes off easily enough if they do.
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: ZuniBee on June 06, 2007, 01:32:43 pm
All of mine are bearding big time....only on the landing board. (Its completely covered) They look like they are doing the washboard I have read about. Anyway, I put a stick to prop the lid open. They didn't go back in until late. The next evening they were back out. This might be a dumb question but when you say prop a stick are you saying just the lid or the inner cover as well?
Title: Re: Could it be a swarm?
Post by: annette on June 06, 2007, 01:42:55 pm
The inner cover is already open in the middle. You would just prop open the telescoping cover a little.

Annette