stickey footed bees.

[salvo]

Hi Folks,

Southeast Massachusetts. Five hives winding down. No varroa tratment. One hive, one deep & two meds, Carni, bottom entrance partially closed, had a big bee die off a couple of weeks ago. Plenty of bees still left. Queen still has a small amount of brood in lower medium, of two. The lower deep was clean and empty, and in good condition. No damage. I took it off. Very little stores, like it was taken out. A few SHB, but coralled by bees. I killed them. Comb appears "normal". No SHB slime.

I gave them a upper entrance mid week. They use it. There is a crescent patch where they walk that is stickey and clumpy, like debis/pollen/junk from inside is getting "tracked" onto the face of the hive.

In three years I have only seen clean, clean landing spots. This is only happenning on one of five hives in the yard.

No "K wings".

What could be going on?

Salvo

[rwlaw]

 Propolis maybe? If they're tracking it to the face of the box, then anyrhing their bringing out will get stuck to that.

[GSF]

Mine are doing it to. It didn't start until the golden rod exploded around here so I figured that was the cause.

[T Beek]

Visible footprints at entrances can indicate robbing activity.  It may be worthwhile to check it out more closely.

[salvo]

Thank you T Beek.

Robbing! Queen gone. Hive virtually empty.

Great comb to start new package next year. :-\

Sad to see it gone so thoroughly. No obvious fighting. Only what appeared to be orientation???!!!

I have an unexpectedly strong and populated hive of Italians about ten feet away. Two full deeps and a medium that was only a "wet" that they filled since end of August.

I'm taking that medium today, to pay for the package next spring. VENDETTA!

Salvo



 

[tjc1]

Hmmm... guess they were more sticky-fingered than sticky footed...;)  Sorry to joke about such a thing, but I'll be watching for that sign from now on..