>I don't know the answer, but I'd feel pretty confident about "it depends".
You know how bees are just when we say they do it this way, they go and do it that way.
Member, I like that answer. "It depends".
You know how bees are".
Yes I do lol......
> "I had a hive about to swarm with capped cells last season. I didnt have the hardware to make splits so I removed the cells and caged the queen in a large full frame size cage to give me time. The next day the hive swarmed. They started bearding early in the morning and then later that day swarmed... only to return an hour later realizing they didnt have the queen! On this occasion they bearded without the queen...however if the queen wasnt locked up perhaps she would have joined them. What I do know is none of my other hives were bearding that day and the queen didnt trigger the bearding prior to swarming because she was locked up! Sorry I havnt answered the question Ben but perhaps I provided clue."
That is very interesting Bee North! Seems to me you handled that situation very well, (and the questoion very well aso!! Your answer goes right along with Beemaster2s' answer. Thanks ! You outfoxed the bees!
"What I do know is none of my other hives were bearding that day and the queen didnt trigger the bearding prior to
swarming because she was locked up!" "Sorry I havnt answered the question Ben but perhaps I provided clue."
> Ben, Having an observation hive has helped to learn about swarms. The bees would beard in large numbers covering the entrance in preparation to swarm. The queens did not leave the hive until the day of the swarm. Remember the bees make the hive decisions not the queen. When the hive is super swarming, the virgin queen that is allowed to swarm is not released from her cell until the hive is swarming. They do not allow her to attack the other queen cells.
Hope this helps.
Jim Altmiller
Thanks Jim, very clear. I appreciate your answer.
> Hi Guys
Don't know if this will work, but here is some bearding
Yes it is! Oldbeavo the featured hive in your picture is what I had here with the hive described in the OP, except it had bees on the sides as well. not completely covered but many bees on the sides. That is way I thought it may be in a swarm mode until I opened and inspected.
> Why are those few bearding so much? Bad ventilation in those boxes? Congestion from needing another super? Swarming prep?
Good questions Bob. In my hive of the subject, it was not swarm prep. I know because i went in and inspected. It wasn't lack of space because they had room. Maybe more ventilation could be the answer. (heat?)