Cluster under the floor

[Morgan968]

Hi everyone

So on one of my hives I've noticed the bees seem to cluster underneath the mesh floor, does anyone know why this would be? The hive is well established and has 3 supers on so not why they are doing this and just checked about 5 mins ago, it seems they are doing it through the night as well

 

[Erichalfbee]

If it’s during the day the bees are by passing the entrance and off loading their nectar through the omf
In the night if it’s warm they stay there.

 

[enrico]

This is something you want to get on top of! The bees do not realise they are not in the hive, they just can't get through the floor. They are underflying the entrance. It is fine in this weather but on cold nights they will die. You need to block the area between the landing board and the ground to stop them accidentally getting underneath.
It is a common problem with OMF's
E

 

[Jake]

I had this same thing happen to me couple weeks back with a new swarm I added to a hive, I took out entrance reducer and haven't had issue since

 

[Rhyolite]

I had this same thing happen to me couple weeks back with a new swarm I added to a hive, I took out entrance reducer and haven't had issue since

I'm having this issue now, mouse guard is on the last few days (it's my first hive). I'd rather not open up the reducer with winter coming in.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'm having this issue now, mouse guard is on the last few days (it's my first hive). I'd rather not open up the reducer with winter coming in.

If you have a mouse guard on, you should remove the entrance block altogether

 

[enrico]

Just block off the area between the landing board and the ground.

 

[Rhyolite]

Would doing both of the above be overkill?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Would doing both of the above be overkill?

No - the first should be done regardless of whether they're underflying

 

[Rhyolite]

Both are done now, easier to fiddle the entrance in the dark. Thanks for the replies.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Both are done now, easier to fiddle the entrance in the dark. Thanks for the replies.

You're lucky - bees can be vicious if disturbed in the dark (bit like SWMBO really )

 

[Rhyolite]

Maybe just lucky then. Got a sneaky peak in too

 

[Swarm]

Yep, you were lucky.

 

[BugsInABox]

You're lucky - bees can be vicious if disturbed in the dark (bit like SWMBO really )

Now I didn’t know that. I’ve blithely pottered down the garden to look at mine through an observation window on several nights. Not got too close but generally assumed they couldn’t see me.

 

[cwinte]

I keep all my hives on smallish entrances almost all year. Even though some days there is very little traffic in and out I still have a large cluster of bees underneath one particular hive whenever they get the chance (i.e. if no yellow corex observation board in there). Last I looked 6 days ago there was still a mound about 10" x 10" x 4". I guess they may have build some comb down there by now - just assuming they'll be forced to leave eventually and I can clean up. That hive did the same last year too but not so bad maybe... It is my most prolific.

 

[Murox]

I keep all my hives on smallish entrances almost all year. Even though some days there is very little traffic in and out I still have a large cluster of bees underneath one particular hive whenever they get the chance (i.e. if no yellow corex observation board in there). Last I looked 6 days ago there was still a mound about 10" x 10" x 4". I guess they may have build some comb down there by now - just assuming they'll be forced to leave eventually and I can clean up. That hive did the same last year too but not so bad maybe... It is my most prolific.

Try doing as Enrico suggested in post number 7.

 

[ericbeaumont]

That hive did the same last year too but not so bad maybe... It is my most prolific.

Single or double brood boxes?

 

[North End Bees]

a mound about 10" x 10" x 4". I guess they may have build some comb down there by now - just assuming they'll be forced to leave eventually and I can clean up.

Could you put the box on a new floor (I think still just warm enough in the SE)?
The mound is probably the bottom arc of the nest? If you leave it the bees will probably stay put on that comb when the temps drop and will just freeze. Unlikely they'll decide to leave it and move indoors.

 

[Swarm]

Agreed, they don't see themselves as being 'outside'.

 

[enrico]

Try doing as Enrico suggested in post number 7.

No they won't be forced to leave, they will get cold and die. Remove all the comb. They think they are in the hive so they are not going to move unless you move them. You can lose a few hundred bees this way as the nights get cold!