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Author Topic: I noticed something kind of funky today  (Read 2169 times)

Offline pollenchucker

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I noticed something kind of funky today
« on: May 13, 2009, 06:32:36 pm »
We opened up the hive earlier in the day to check the upper hive body, and discovered it was almost all built out and that the bees had started storing nectar in it and the Queen had been laying eggs through out it.  And we even found the Queen up there.  So everything is moving along.
BUT, later this afternoon I noticed a lot of activity around the front of the hive and also some really big looking honey bees which I really had not noticed before.  They had big black adomens or back sides whatever you call the last body part in front of the stinger.  My bees I always normally think of as much smaller and more yellow and black striped.  So I was thinking maybe these big bees were trying to rob the hive, especially since we had it open earlier and they might of got a whiff.  I can't say, but there sure looked like there was a skirmish going on and several from both sides ended up in the grass on the front lawn.  Eventually all settled down and has seemed to return to normal. 
Now that the honey is flowing I'm thinking or maybe I'm just paranoid that robbing is something to be aware and cautious of.  Not sure what to do about it though.
-pc
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2009, 07:42:15 pm »
Sounds like drones, the male honey bee.
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Offline WayneW

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2009, 08:11:41 pm »
Yeah, drones. First time i saw them, i thought my hive was being invaded by smallish bumbles..... Sure fire way to tell,...... pick one up and let it walk around on your hands. Drones have no stinger.
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Offline NasalSponge

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2009, 10:27:32 pm »
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Offline Cindi

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2009, 11:22:58 am »
Polenchucker, definitely that big ol' drone.  By the picture that Nasalsponge put in to reply to your question, that clearly shows how BIG the big ol' boys are.  By the way, Nasalsponge, that is an EXCELLENT shot of the size difference between the two genders, excellent.  Have that most great and most wonderful day, lovin' and livin' these lives, health.  Cindi
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Offline jdpro5010

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2009, 11:46:02 am »
I would also like to add that robbing is mainly a problem during a dearth and not while the honey is flowing.
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Offline pollenchucker

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2009, 01:26:47 pm »
Thanks for the replies.  Yep sure looks like what I was seeing.  Funny I just hadn't noticed them flying in and out of the hive before.
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Offline CBEE

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2009, 01:03:52 pm »
I call them BEE 52's :-D
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Offline beedad

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Re: I noticed something kind of funky today
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2009, 12:07:06 am »
the drones(in my area) are just starting to emerge.  and its normal to get drones from other hive in your hive.  they're welcome everywhere....well till fall.
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