Hi,
A number of bees from one of our colonies have formed a cluster on the outside of the hive. It’s not akin to bearding (not at the entrance) and there’s no swarming/scouting activity. The colony isn’t particularly crowded but we’ve put on the super to give them more space just in case. The weather here is varying day to day between warm and quite cold (but not freezing). The cluster has been there for 3 days. Plenty of pollen being brought in. No bee is venturing into the super. Any ideas?
That might be a caste swarm. Have you done a brood check for signs of swarming, seeing as you are in spring. Adding a super wont change a colony’s mind if it has already decided to make preparations to swarm. It might be a caste swarm from one of your other colonies.
Have you done an inspection recently?
I’d probably take a peak and see if any queen cells have formed. Are they out of space? Filling the brood box with nectar?
If I thought they were preparing to swarm, then I would want to think about splitting them if I wanted to try to keep the bees. (If they want to swarm thy are going to swarm - maybe a split if that is the case would satisfy their urge? Worth a try if they are preparing to swarm IMO)
Hi.
Thanks. We found one of our other colonies preparing to swarm last week so did a split and checked this one as a precaution. Will check again today and if they are swarming will try to split this one too.
Have put a baited swarm box out just in case.
Was puzzled by the nature of cluster - it doesn’t look like a swarm or bearding. Always something to learn I guess!
Thanks.
We split a nearby colony just last week. Thought we’d got all the queen cells but a cast swarm is a distinct possibility. Hadn’t occurred to us so thanks v much. Will check today.
