Interesting behaviour

[Martin921]

Hi all,

On Sunday afternoon I changed the Apilife Var strip in my hive (week 3).

On Monday a large number of bees had decamped from the hive and taken up residence between the varroa board and the OMF of the hive. Basically the gap was crammed with bees. They were still there late into the evening (08:00pm) but when I checked this morning at around 06:30am the bees appear to have returned to the hive.

Today some (but not as many) had again a taken up residence between the Varroa board and the OMF.

I am assuming that they will return to normal once the varroa treatment is complete. Other than this unusual behaviour the bees seem quite happy and are fighting off persistent attacks by numerous wasps.

Anyone else experienced anything similar?

Martin.

 

[VEG]

There should be no gaps there for them to get into for it to work effectively

 

[garlicpickle]

I plug the gap with a piece of sponge, or use duct tape.

 

[Martin921]

I plug the gap with a piece of sponge, or use duct tape.

Thanks for that. It sounds obvious now that you have put it down in black and white.

I shall don the suit in the morning, shake out any lingering bees and plug the gap.

 

[garlicpickle]

You don't want them ducking out of getting their full dose of fumes