Do I really have so many drones?

[RogerIvy]

I have about five frames that appear to be “overrun” with drones.
I would say that the workers are vastly outnumbered.
Is this something to be concerned about?

The hive still has good stores, unfortunately while I was out of the country this particular hive swarmed at least three times.

 

[Ian123]

No I wouldn’t worry the new sealed brood looks fine. I often see mating nucs with disproportionately large numbers of drones.

 

[Boston Bees]

I have about five frames that appear to be “overrun” with drones.
I would say that the workers are vastly outnumbered.
Is this something to be concerned about?

The hive still has good stores, unfortunately while I was out of the country this particular hive swarmed at least three times.

View attachment 32219

Drones do go with swarms, but mostly they stay behind. 3 swarms would go some way to explaining the disproportionate number of drones in the hive

 

[Antipodes]

I have about five frames that appear to be “overrun” with drones.
I would say that the workers are vastly outnumbered.
Is this something to be concerned about?

The hive still has good stores, unfortunately while I was out of the country this particular hive swarmed at least three times.

View attachment 32219

....and they've still got a queen (near top centre).

 

[Erichalfbee]

A tip. Try wearing marigolds instead of leather gloves? They are much less clumsy, you can keep them clean and they are still pretty sting proof

 

[Ian123]

A tip. Try wearing marigolds instead of leather gloves? They are much less clumsy, you can keep them clean and they are still pretty sting proof

Can’t beat a good pair of leather gloves!….

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Can’t beat a good pair of leather gloves!….

if you're laying a hawthorn hedge maybe

 

[Erichalfbee]

Can’t beat a good pair of leather gloves!….

I have a pair that came with my first hive
they are useful sometimes

 

[RogerIvy]

A tip. Try wearing marigolds instead of leather gloves? They are much less clumsy, you can keep them clean and they are still pretty sting proof

Thanks for the tip. I have a pair of “rubber” gloves from Simon the Beekeeper but weren’t with me at the time. But you are right, the leathers are somewhat clumsy.

 

[RogerIvy]

Yesterday the drones were going crazy flying out and in.

 

[Boston Bees]

Yesterday the drones were going crazy flying out and in.

It's June, so there are lots of virgin queens going on mating flights in the area. The drones head out to find them, and all do so at the same period of the day. Drones make a louder noise than workers when flying, so such periods can sound crazy in an apiary.

 

[polymath]

Can’t beat a good pair of leather gloves!….

or trying to spread disease.

 

[Ian123]

or trying to spread disease.

Really…..40yrs and I can’t recall an instance in my apiary that leather gloves have played a role……probably need to try harder.