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Natives look like they are swarming

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mike888:
Hi, I don't know much about natives so hoping someone can shine some light on what is happening. An old housemate left a hive of natives which for the last several years have had no problems. This last week or so they have been flying around outside of the hive erratically during the middle of the day in a large cluster. Today quite a few of them have started coming into the house so it has become a bit of a problem. They look like they are swarming but it has been going for about 10 days.

I'd appreciate any info on what might be happening.




 

felmo1:
Native bees don't swarm as per honey bees. 
To repopulate they will over a length of time set up stores of honey and pollen into a new location and only then will a virgin queen be enticed to relocate.  The whole process is gradual and no swarming as such occurs.
What you probably seen is fighting from another hive.  It isn't uncommon but distressing to watch.
Did you observe any dead bees?
I would have thought any fighting would be over within a day.  10 days, I don't know why.

Alan

Ben Framed:

--- Quote from: felmo1 on September 16, 2018, 12:33:45 am ---Native bees don't swarm as per honey bees. 
To repopulate they will over a length of time set up stores of honey and pollen into a new location and only then will a virgin queen be enticed to relocate.  The whole process is gradual and no swarming as such occurs.
What you probably seen is fighting from another hive.  It isn't uncommon but distressing to watch.
Did you observe any dead bees?
I would have thought any fighting would be over within a day.  10 days, I don't know why.

Alan

--- End quote ---


Alan does the homey from these bees taste about the same as our European bees honey?
Thanks,

Phillip

BeeMaster2:
Mike,
Welcome to Beemaster.
I will be watching this, interesting question.
Jim Altmiller

kanga:

--- Quote from: Ben Framed on October 28, 2021, 01:14:38 am ---Alan does the homey from these bees taste about the same as our European bees honey?
Thanks,

Phillip

--- End quote ---

The native bees store the honey in propolis pots and therefore the honey is very tangy.
Kev

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