Bumblebees entering hive

[BrianO]

Hi

Went today to check my newly hived Nuc, on Apiary site at allotment. Whilst a few feet away from the entrance , I guess about 6 to 8 bee spaces wide of another allotment holders hive I observed 3 Bumblebees flying close to the entrance, 2 separately landed and entered , unchallenged.

One then exited and flew off , the other during the approx 5 minutes I watched did not re emerge. Another bee ( bumble ) arrived and flew close to the entrance and then flew off.they were Bombus Terrestris .

Never heard of this before, anyone else ?

It was fascinating to see they seem to go unchallenged. The colony seemed strong enough with plenty of foragers coming and going

Cheers

Brian

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I observed 3 Bumblebees flying close to the entrance,2 separately landed and entered , unchallenged.

Never heard of this before, anyone else ?

It was fascinating to see they seem to go unchallenged.

Hmmm i think the next statement tells you a lot - do you think bombus no 2 was having a nice cup of tea and a chat?

the other during the approx 5 minutes I watched did not re emerge.

I have opened up before now and found the hairless mummified remains of a bumble wedged into the hive entrance! I've also seen the odd wasp happily wandering around inside the hive snacking on the stores but the next day a band of the cheeky beggars being bounced out not long after effecting an entry.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Funny: I just this minute saw a bumblebee go in unchallenged to the (weak nuc) domain of the Little Green Queen. Had not emerged after a minute. C'mon girls - DISEASE: can't have that! So I lifted and bumped the nuc down; she emerged sideways at haste 2s later. V. satisfying (but vv worrying).

 

[BrianO]

Ok maybe it's just me, went up to my new Apiary site, donned battle gear, first sight was Bumblebee entering my new full colony, in he went unchallenged.

Not a Nuc colony, busy hive bees bombing in and out and he seemed to go in unchallenged ??

 

[victor meldrew]

He?


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[madasafish]

I find dead bumblebees outside my hives in the early morning - killed trying to enter I assume. Certainly attempted entrances during the day have been rebuffed when I have seen it.

The sparrows eat them all..very efficient scavengers..

 

[BrianO]

He?

Yes, definitely a " He " , was wearing Jocks and had a Moustache

 

[fabindia]

Saw a huge bumble bee round the hive tonight - soon chased off though

 

[bontbee]

New queen on the wing?

 

[fabindia]

New queen on the wing?

Quite possible. She did seem to be on the lookout for somewhere to settle down.

 

[alldigging]

There had been a bumblebee lurking when the swarm arrived at the bait box. Don't know whether it'd already moved in or was just thinking about it.