Bee Behaviour

[Cb50]

The last few days one of my hives has been collecting outside en mass. I am used to some bearding but this seems a bit excessive at this time of the year.

Background info - it is my strongest hive (honey production wise this year & bee count), I am in week four of apilife var - went on on Saturday, weather is warm hive in sun, and they go back in as it cools.

Is this just getting away from the fumes or is it not enough room. They are busy on ivy - all my hives are very active at the moment.

Anyone with experience of why this is happening and is it nothing to worry about?

Thanks

Colin

 

[snelgrove]

The last few days one of my hives has been collecting outside en mass. I am used to some bearding but this seems a bit excessive at this time of the year.

Background info - it is my strongest hive (honey production wise this year & bee count), I am in week four of apilife var - went on on Saturday, weather is warm hive in sun, and they go back in as it cools.

Is this just getting away from the fumes or is it not enough room. They are busy on ivy - all my hives are very active at the moment.

Anyone with experience of why this is happening and is it nothing to worry about?

Thanks

Colin

it's the apilifevar in my opinion, especially with the warm temperature, they don't like it

 

[Cb50]

Thanks - thought it maybe that.

For the last two nights a saucer sized amount of bees a few bees thick have remained on the outside flat of the hive overnight - they are there again today.....very odd.......Would they really stay out rather than go in with the fumes which will be lighter as the temperature drops at night?

CB

 

[mintmoth]

If the bees are all hanging outside, how does that affect the efficacy of the apilife var? Will a lot of phoretic mites survive on these outside bees and then overwinter with them?