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  • From: Julie Daniels <jld921 AT gmail.com>
  • To: Randall Austin <ra41717 AT gmail.com>
  • Cc: ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [ocba] Fwd: hanging outside the hive??
  • Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 10:44:54 -0400

Randall, thanks for the reply.  When I went back to do the recommended diagnostic - the cluster (or beard, as another called it) was down to a dozen or so lounging on the top of the base (no hangers).  I went through the hive and found no queen or evidence of laying activity.  I have reasonable honey and lots of pollen.  Maybe the question is whether to add a queen or to see if one they might have produced gets busy (how long is safe to wait/be queenless)????

I appreciate the reminder that this is supposed to be tranquil...that's what I was hoping for when we started; but lack of knowledge/experience and non-textbook situations have made it stressful, though I am still completely intrigued by the bees.  I am getting the spectrum of beekeeping ranges from 1- passive observance of natural hive activity to 10- constant manipulation.  I was hoping to be on the lower end of the spectrum since I'm in this for environmental/kid-learning interests rather than honey or money; but if there is a simple intervention that could save a hive (e.g. re-queening), that seems quite rationale. 

 Julie



On Fri, Aug 22, 2014 at 9:40 AM, Randall Austin <ra41717 AT gmail.com> wrote:
Julie,

Great picture -- this is a lot better than just a description.

This isn't "normal" but I've seen this somewhat odd-looking behavior in other people's hives. Before offering an opinion, can you do one more diagnostic check: Take your handy bee brush, brush the entire clump onto a flat surface (e.g. a paper plate), and carefully pick through the bees. Is there a queen in the clump? Report back and I'll offer a more informed opinion on what's going on.

I can say that this isn't preparation for swarming or waiting for a returning queen on her mating flight. I can also say that it isn't anything to worry about -- don't worry about any of this stuff! Beekeeping is supposed to be a tranquil pastime that relieves stress (that's a key reason Langstroth kept bees); if it isn't doing that for someone, why do it?

Randall Austin


On 8/22/2014 8:38 AM, Julie Daniels wrote:
New beekeeper question: Any advice about what this picture indicates?  Bees collecting outside and under the hive and making a lot of noise.  

History of this troubled hive:

- April:  new hive from Bailey's...seemed slow to take off, but finally did  

- Mid June:  seemingly strong, lots of brood, lots of honey

- Mid July:  splotches that resemble nosema and lots of crawling bees

- Early August:  Don generously came out and took samples, twice.  State lab came back negative for nosema and trachea mites - twice, 2 weeks apart.  
  - poor laying pattern, but a few scattered larvae

- Mid-August:  
   - no more crawling bees.  splotches on hive not getting worse that I can tell.  Population seems smaller.
  - open queen cell - not sure if hatched or never occupied
  - still lots of honey from syrup. 

- Last week:  no new eggs or larvae.  very sparse and scattered capped brood.  I wonder if they're left over with arrested development, but not sure.  No sign of queen.

- Today:  this picture.  Does this indicate preparing to swarm, waiting for new queen to return from mating, some other thing I should worry about?  There are very few bees flying in and out.

I'm really confused by this hive and open to any advice about what to consider.  Other hive seems okay (does have splotches, but two hives ar only a few feet apart, so could be from 1st hive).  


Thoughts, interest in taking a look to solve puzzles, advice, etc.  - all welcome!

Julie Daniels
5715 Brisbane
Chapel Hill






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