Dead Bees at Entrance??

[Richard60]

Hi, After two days of heavy rain I visited the hive to find a large number of dead bees at the entrance. The live bees are still very busy, but having to negotiate with the dead bees when they enter and leave the hive. Is this normal after a number of rainy days??

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

yes, the undertakers haven't been able to fly out and drop the corpses away from the hive

 

[oliver90owner]

As per JBM. Summer bees only live about 6-7 weeks after emergence. They don’t stop dying off just because it rains! Additionally, they won’t be dying (expiring) while out foraging if it has been raining continually. Some bees can also get caught out, if flying, and the weather changes rapidly cooling any that do not fly directly in the entrance on return. Could even be drones kicked out?