Clustered bees on the front of hive

[Ely]

The entire front of my hive is covered in bees. It is really hot and humid here, should I be worried about swarming at this time of year or are they just trying to keep cool? Lots of coming and going with pollen. Don't really want to split the hive at this time of year so uncertain of any action if any is needed at all. Thanks

 

[For want of a better word]

mine the NZs always do that!!!

 

[Midland Beek]

The hive is possibly full to the rafters, and as such there is very probably not a case for feeding.

And hey, if an ivy flow is likely to overload it there is no problem in putting on a super. A super of foundation might be pushing it, so drawn comb is the better option.

 

[MJBee]

Are you still treating for varroa? If so bearding up the front of the hive is normal, it's just the bees coming out for a breath of fresh air. Hot and humid will also bring them out. IMHO nothing to worry about but when (if) you get a nice warm sunny day it might be worth a look to make sure.

 

[Ely]

Unfortunately this is my first season and haven't used any supers so have no drawn foundation. They did have plenty of stores last time I checked. I have not treat for varoa as I only found 2 mites all season. Cheers

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have not treat for varoa as I only found 2 mites all season. Cheers

I would put one treatment on and see what the mite drop is.
Natural mite drop is no indication of infestation unfortunately

 

[Flatters]

On warm days some of my colonies cluster outside the hive and things look very busy. This seems to last about 30 minutes.

Ely I would suggest you treat at least to confirm your assumption. If you decide not to do an autumn treatment will you be treating with OA in winter?

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Unfortunately this is my first season and haven't used any supers so have no drawn foundation. They did have plenty of stores last time I checked. I have not treat for varoa as I only found 2 mites all season. Cheers

How many frames of brood and stores do you have? When did you last check and have you been feeding them? Ivy has been coming in well the past week or two. You may find that there's no room and the brood area has been reduced as a consequence.

How have you checked for varroa? Hve you seen any bees with deformed wings in recent inspections?

Erichalfbee is correct that mite drop is not necessarily an indication of numbers in the hive. They can crawl back too.
For the sake of one container of Apiguard or whatever you chose to do a test, is it worth the risk not to treat?

One master beekeeper near us says to new beekeepers simply "Your bees will die unless you treat them for varroa"

 

[Lesley Hoppy]

Apilife var - is it too noxious for bees?

Am on my second week of treatment and the bees clearly hate it. The fronts of both hives were covered with bees on the first day of the treatment each week - and the smell of thymol filled the garden.... I feel really cruel using the stuff - but after week 1 there was a mite drop of about 20 - 30 and I have only found one or two before....so it obviously works.... Could I abandon the treatment after two weeks or might this cause a resistance build up in the mites? I just hate gassing my poor bees!

 

[TOBY-3652]

Just finished my treatment with apiguard final count on worst hive was nearly 8000 dead mites some others were over 2000 dont think mine realy loved it but i bet there glad to be rid of all them

 

[Erichalfbee]

after week 1 there was a mite drop of about 20 - 30 and I have only found one or two before....so it obviously works.... Could I abandon the treatment after two weeks or might this cause a resistance build up in the mites? I just hate gassing my poor bees!

That's just what I did having a total drop of less than ten in two hives and only two in the other. I'm still in two minds about Oxalic in the winter too. With a drop of 30 I would stop and oxalic for Christmas
With the way that thymol works resistance is unlikely. Many of us add thymol at much lower doses to our autumn feed to help protect against nosema
Oh and welcome to the forum....better info than omlet

 

[user 6228]

The entire front of my hive is covered in bees. It is really hot and humid here, should I be worried about swarming at this time of year or are they just trying to keep cool? Lots of coming and going with pollen. Don't really want to split the hive at this time of year so uncertain of any action if any is needed at all. Thanks

I 've had them partying outside in the last few days... The hives are full of bees and the weather has turned warm. This year the beek calendar could be put in the bin alongside the veg growers calendar

 

[Ely]

Bet i could have put a super on afterall

I'll treat for varoa

 

[Erichalfbee]

The hives are full of bees and the weather has turned warm. This year the beek calendar could be put in the bin alongside the veg growers calendar

Heatwave next week even up here
Snow next month....oh well

 

[Ely]

I have a much smaller colony over 4 frames in a hive with polystyrene insulation on either side of the frames. Do you reckon I should treat them too?

 

[tonybloke]

yes, Simon. do you want me to come over and have a look at your bees for/with you?

 

[Ely]

Yeh sure. I need to get some apiguard. I think heebeegeebee is going to sell me some. Cheers

 

[tonybloke]

I've got 2 trays if you need them

 

[Ely]

ok. Thankyou. I'll give you a call tomorrow if that is ok

 

[Lesley Hoppy]

Thanks for the welcome - and I agree - it is a much better source of info than the other one!