Welcome, Guest

Author Topic: Ball of Bees  (Read 2228 times)

Offline davmal

  • New Bee
  • *
  • Posts: 8
  • Gender: Male
Ball of Bees
« on: October 18, 2012, 10:32:19 am »
I changed-out by screened bottom board late last evening (it needs some repairs). I noticed hundreds and hundreds of been living on the ground in a cavity formed by the 6"x6" timbers by hive was raised on. I smoked them. Soon after changing the SBB, I noticed hundreds of bees congregating on the old SBB like a mini-swarm. I tapped them back into the hive. It was getting dark, so I DID NOT notice a grapefruit size ball of bees hanging from the bottom of the landing board. I saw the ball this morning at 8:30. It is 50 degrees here in central MD. What are the bees doing there? Are they from the hoard that was living beneath the hive? Why did they not go inside last night? Are they overflow? For the story and pictures, will you please see my URL which I am asking the administrator to include with this post? I'd sure appreciate any advice that would help me better understand what my girls are doing! Thanks, in advance! - Dave

http://davidmaloney.com/ballofbees.pdf
« Last Edit: October 18, 2012, 10:41:54 am by Robo »

Offline Finski

  • Galactic Bee
  • ******
  • Posts: 3928
  • Gender: Male
Re: Ball of Bees
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2012, 10:40:53 am »
.
When you operate with bees like that in late afternoon or in the evening, is normal that bees do not move inside. They stay there where you shaked them. They are like sleepy.

Often I cover them with newspaper to give them heat shelter. They often move inside but  they may remain there over night.
.
Language barrier NOT included

Offline JP

  • The Swarm King
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 11709
  • Gender: Male
  • I like doing cut-outs, but I love catching swarms!
    • JPthebeeman.com
Re: Ball of Bees
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2012, 12:33:54 pm »
I would have checked the ball of bees for a queen. Its quite possible the old gal got kicked out or there's a virgin in the ball. Either way the bees in the ball are being loyal to her. This is what makes sense to me without knowing all the facts.


...JP
My Youtube page is titled JPthebeeman with hundreds of educational & entertaining videos.

My website JPthebeeman.com http://jpthebeeman.com

Offline BeeMaster2

  • Administrator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 13931
  • Gender: Male
Re: Ball of Bees
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2012, 12:48:13 pm »
Ditto that JP. Sure looks like a mini swarm. They also started building a comb.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

 

anything