Hanging on the front of the hive

[birdsandbees]

Just wanted some opinion please.

their are a lot of bees hanging on the front of my TB hive tonight and many hanging in the air too, only seen this today although yesterday there was a small bunch on the entrance, is this anything to worry about as I'm off on hold for a week tomorrow.

Were inspected last weekend, new 2015 queen, laying like crazy, ,no queen cells and they have plenty of room and good stores?

Just normal congestion? They had a lot of capped brood last I checked.

 

[B+.]

Just normal congestion? They had a lot of capped brood last I checked.

I think you're describing "bearding" which they do when its overcrowded in the colony. By freeing up space between the combs, they allow air to circulate better and keep the hive cooler.
Just to be on the safe side....there aren't any queen cells are there? This could also be pre-swarming behaviour but its a little late in the year for that

 

[birdsandbees]

Definitely no QC's when I checked, they have room to expand further into the hive and have two smaller drawn combs further in with some stores on them.

 

[snelgrove]

noticed alot of bees clustered around the entrance of some of my hives, just started with the advent of these warm nights. I ain't concerned

 

[birdsandbees]

All is well, I have got home from work and they are all okay, just a small group around the entrance that appear to be cleaning.
I guess they just needed to cool down a bit, my daughter sent me a short video and said that there were hundreds out on the front and in the air but they seem fine now.
Thanks for the comments, it put me at ease until I got home.

 

[enrico]

Certainly happens often in warm weather. It is just a way of keeping cool!
E

 

[birdsandbees]

It's just that it didn't seem particularly warm and neither of the other two colonies were doing it but as their numbers have increased rapidly over the last couple of weeks I guess that's probably why.

 

[user 6228]

It's something related to honey ripening. It's appears not related to the amount of insulation or the daytime temperature. I doubt the above explanations of overcrowding or Over temp are correct but the correct explanation ?

 

[birdsandbees]

Ahhhh, that's interesting and plausible considering the facts as it could be the difference between the three colonies all in the same place, the weather wasn't exactly warm, the sun wasn't out and even if it was the hive is in shade, I must admit the smell from this hive is amazing at the moment, it makes your mouth water just standing near it, so could it be Honey related then I wonder.