The New Bees

[BugsInABox]

One of the things I try to notice in my hives are how ‘calm on the combs’ my bees are. So far I’ve experience of three queens and have been able to tell the difference with one queen in particular producing very ‘runny’ bees. But I’ve liked the other 2 - both my single bought in ‘starter’ queen (allegedly black’ish’ native’ish’ but she was pretty brown, her bees were dark’ish’) and her granddaughter, my current favourite.
The swarm that arrived 2 weeks ago, however, are completely static - they literally barely move. For me I find this makes working out what’s going on in the comb actually harder. Can bees be too calm on the comb?
Neil

 

[enrico]

One of the things I try to notice in my hives are how ‘calm on the combs’ my bees are. So far I’ve experience of three queens and have been able to tell the difference with one queen in particular producing very ‘runny’ bees. But I’ve liked the other 2 - both my single bought in ‘stater’ queen (allegedly black’ish’ native’ish’ but she was pretty brown, her bees were dark’ish’) and her granddaughter my current favourite.
The swarm that arrived 2 weeks ago, however, are completely static - they literally barely move. For me I find this makes working out what’s going on in the comb actually harder. Can bees be too calm on the comb?
Neil

Depends on your preference. The quieter the better for me

 

[Ian123]

No

 

[BugsInABox]

No

No what?

 

[BugsInABox]

Depends on your preference. The quieter the better for me

Do yours move barely a jot on the being inspected comb?

 

[Ian123]

No they can’t be to quiet.

 

[The Poot]

I find when they move about on the comb, they don’t necessarily need to be shaken off to check for queen cells, which makes the inspection less disturbing for the bees.

 

[BugsInABox]

No they can’t be to quiet.

Why? See Poot.

 

[BugsInABox]

I find when they move about on the comb, they don’t necessarily need to be shaken off to check for queen cells, which makes the inspection less disturbing for the bees.

Yes that’s what I’ve not had to do so much till this lot.

 

[spiderplantman]

One of our colonies here has really, really laid back bees. In fact, so laid back that when the inspector once paid a visit she looked at them and called them ‘cappucino bees’, because it was like they’d all stopped for a coffee break rather than getting on with it. When you open the hive they’re always quiet, never jump out at you. Honestly, they’re like little pets.

However, we have other colonies on their third super at the moment. But, these guys, sort of getting round to maybe thinking about doing something about the first. Possibly.

And I guess that’s the answer. They’re so quiet they’re a delight to inspect, but are they performant? No, not really, and as you said, you sort of need to shepherd them around on the comb to get them out the way so we can look for eggs etc.

We get a harvest off them, but nowhere near as much as the brash, stingy, in-your-face-as-soon-as-look-at-you, don’t-you-dare-open-us-up girls next door.

 

[Erichalfbee]

One of the things I try to notice in my hives are how ‘calm on the combs’ my bees are. So far I’ve experience of three queens and have been able to tell the difference with one queen in particular producing very ‘runny’ bees. But I’ve liked the other 2 - both my single bought in ‘starter’ queen (allegedly black’ish’ native’ish’ but she was pretty brown, her bees were dark’ish’) and her granddaughter, my current favourite.
The swarm that arrived 2 weeks ago, however, are completely static - they literally barely move. For me I find this makes working out what’s going on in the comb actually harder. Can bees be too calm on the comb?
Neil

A lot of my swarms have been gentle as lambs. I hived one from bait hive into a full-size 14x12 this afternoon and they hardly moved. Its different kettle of fish when they grow the following year. Quite a few are challenging . I really should re-queen as soon as I catch them but always "give them as chance" ..........stupidly.

 

[enrico]

A lot of my swarms have been gentle as lambs. I hived one from bait hive into a full-size 14x12 this afternoon and they hardly moved. Its different kettle of fish when they grow the following year. Quite a few are challenging . I really should re-queen as soon as I catch them but always "give them as chance" ..........stupidly.

Oh how true for many of us.

 

[enrico]

Do yours move barely a jot on the being inspected comb?

All my hives differ. I have one runny jittery hive that I wil unite this autumn as I hate that sort. I have one that is very still and quiet. A gentle breath moves them out of the way if needs be.

 

[Murox]

Hives certainly do differ, I still have a steady red dot queen producing really calm gentle bees - her daughter on the other hand, this is her first full season, produces distinctly runny slightly feisty, but not stingy bees.

 

[B+.]

One of the things I try to notice in my hives are how ‘calm on the combs’ my bees are. So far I’ve experience of three queens and have been able to tell the difference with one queen in particular producing very ‘runny’ bees. But I’ve liked the other 2 - both my single bought in ‘starter’ queen (allegedly black’ish’ native’ish’ but she was pretty brown, her bees were dark’ish’) and her granddaughter, my current favourite.
The swarm that arrived 2 weeks ago, however, are completely static - they literally barely move. For me I find this makes working out what’s going on in the comb actually harder. Can bees be too calm on the comb?
Neil

No.
If you need them to move, blow on them gently and they'll move for you.