Bees ignoring the rule book!

[drstitson]

"Ouch someones a bit tetchy. was just making lite conversation nothing so serious!"

my point is that this is a rather significant part of the biology of the honeybee colony which doesn't seem to be being communicated to newbies.

 

[Rosie gill]

Hi Rosie,
I closed my nuc down to one bee space because I thought they were being robbed. It turned out that it was lots of desperate bees trying to get into their own hive. I am not saying that this is the case with yours - just be careful!
All the best.

Thanks beeno, I opened it a bit more as there were bees with pollen hanging around, they all rushed in and are nice and calm again today, I think I misread the signs, this bee keeping malarkey is so confusing, (but ace)
Rosie

 

[Norfolk]

Thanks beeno, I opened it a bit more as there were bees with pollen hanging around, they all rushed in and are nice and calm again today, I think I misread the signs, this bee keeping malarkey is so confusing, (but ace)
Rosie

Good result.
Truth is, the day you know exactly what is happening in a hive, you will be very bored and dare I say, delusional

 

[beeno]

Hi all,
Since we are on the subject, I was taught that bees don't hibernate although I did see the term used in the penultimate BBKA News. So, what is it called other than cluster?

 

[user 6228]

And bees cluster whenever there are bees... (according to the research) just bees with nothing to do , gather together.

 

[Amari]

No idea where they are coming from. no feed in it. am so depressed, this is my first colony and I lurch from worry to crisis back to worry!!!

Hope they have settled down OK. I too thought one of my hives was being robbed yesterday but its often not easy to be sure.
'Scuse unsolicited advice but i always advise newbies to start with two or three colonies so that if one dies/absconds you have not lost your hobby for a year (pace Pargyle)

 

[pargyle]

'Scuse unsolicited advice but i always advise newbies to start with two or three colonies so that if one dies/absconds you have not lost your hobby for a year (pace Pargyle)

No argument there... I would totally agree - only thing that stopped me having more than one hive this year was the procrastination and process of building my first hive and the lack of any more bees ! I didn't get a swarm until June and they didn't swarm or even build queen cells and my bait hive was barren.

So .. next year with luck it will be at least two hives ... and proud of it !

 

[mbc]

mine seem to be being robbed! lots of dead bees and wrestling out side the hive. have closed the entrance and now have bees hanging round out side carrying pollen! feel really guilty

Its not really the time of year for robbing of extant colonies.
I hate to be the voice of doom but the scene I have in my minds eye from your description looks more like either your colony collapsing, or more likely considering the pollen loads coming back, a neighbouring colony collapsing and strange bees trying to gain entry. If this is the case then its a classic way for your hive to gain an unexpectedly high varroa load.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hi all,
Since we are on the subject, I was taught that bees don't hibernate although I did see the term used in the penultimate BBKA News. So, what is it called other than cluster?

Keeping warm?

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Its not really the time of year for robbing of extant colonies.
I hate to be the voice of doom but the scene I have in my minds eye from your description looks more like either your colony collapsing, or more likely considering the pollen loads coming back, a neighbouring colony collapsing and strange bees trying to gain entry. If this is the case then its a classic way for your hive to gain an unexpectedly high varroa load.

Blimey; that one does suit your picture :- ) On the thread Rosie started, I think she has got comfortable with the situation. The picture I have in my mind's eye is the one at the bottom of my garden; dead bees and old foragers being taken out in the warm weather. I have about the same experience she has so if it's gloom, we'll find out but not much we can do about it (other than OA in my case; bl%dy mites)

 

[Rosie gill]

Its not really the time of year for robbing of extant colonies.
I hate to be the voice of doom but the scene I have in my minds eye from your description looks more like either your colony collapsing, or more likely considering the pollen loads coming back, a neighbouring colony collapsing and strange bees trying to gain entry. If this is the case then its a classic way for your hive to gain an unexpectedly high varroa load.

Crikey!!! it never ends does it! I have already ordered my OA from my local BKA and going to their demonstration in a couple of weeks. hope that will solve the mite problem if it is that

They seem happy today,a few flying in and out, I have left my reduced entrance block in, should I leave it for a while or put my mouse guard back on?

 

[Swarm]

Rosie,
Do the bees appear to be coming and going, some with small amounts of pollen? If that's the case I'd advise you to (try to) forget about them.

Assess the colony come oxalic time.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Rosie, forgive me assuming you're new, but from one newbie to another, don't overthink it but have a plan B. eg it's worth it to me to have a nuc on order to guarantee being a beek despite my best efforts to mess up my colony.

 

[Rosie gill]

Rosie,
Do the bees appear to be coming and going, some with small amounts of pollen? If that's the case I'd advise you to (try to) forget about them.

Assess the colony come oxalic time.

yep. a few were out and about yesterday, I'm, going to leave well alone now!! should I put the mouseguard back on though?

 

[Rosie gill]

Rosie, forgive me assuming you're new, but from one newbie to another, don't overthink it but have a plan B. eg it's worth it to me to have a nuc on order to guarantee being a beek despite my best efforts to mess up my colony.

Thanks for your valuable advice!!! will get one on order! my brother owes me a birthday pressie!

 

[beeno]

Hi Rosie gill,
Yes, mouseguard is a must, as one mouse will destroy and contaminate your hive PDQ. Enjoy your bees and whatever happens is learning how to become an experienced beek! I have just bought a toolbox in an attempt to become a more organised beek. Wish me luck!

 

[Rosie gill]

What a good idea! I am already accumulating lots of bits and bobs. good luck Beeno, thanks for your help
Rosie

 

[Sandbee79]

I had a problem with the most voracious robbing I ve ever seen back in september. In the end I decided that instead of losing them which I surely would have, I moved them over a mile away to a friends house where there have been safe ever since. Hooper says move the robbers ? yeah ok how do you know which hive, who do do they belong too? This has worked for me and if it's your only hive it may be your only option to save them. good luck..

 

[VEG]

Only a mile did your foraging bees not find their way home?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Hooper says move the robbers ? yeah ok how do you know which hive, who do do they belong too?

Sprinkle them with some flour, if it is not obvious and you think they are from your own apairy.

http://www.countryrubes.com/images/Robber_Bees.pdf