At the Hive Entrance.pdf - BioBees

Observation
Explanation
On a day of main flow, there is
a great deal of trafficking between
the alighting boards of
two neighbouring colonies; it
takes place directly between the
hive fronts but can also take
place along more complicated
routes.
Latent robbing! One colony is robbing another in the
most civilized fashion. A screen placed between the
hives is more often than not flown over or around.
The robbers even enter the hive. This robbing is tolerated
but is not satisfactory to all the colonies.
Latent robbing can sometimes explain abnormally
large harvests.
In warm heavy weather,
clumps and barbs of bees collect
from the hive. At the same
time strong ventilation occurs
although other activity is very
weak.
When the interior temperature of the hive is too high,
a large part of the colony leaves it; their instinct
warns them of different dangers (softening of the
combs, rupture of the combs loaded with honey or
brood). If the temperature continues to rise above
36° C, the brood suffers and can die. This dead brood
decomposes in the cells, but one must never confuse
this with foul brood. Immediate aeration is required.
This situation occurs often in hives facing south as
they have no protection against the direct rays of the
sun.
A few colonies assemble on the
front of the hive, this even on a
less hot day. A strong smell of
honey emanates from the hive
entrance.
The super are full. The honey is already collecting in
the brood chamber of the hive. (The last two observations,
like many others, may be made in July or in
August depending on the temperature and altitude).
As soon as possible space must be made, otherwise
there is a risk of swarming or of the brood chamber
becoming flooded with honey.
The bees of a secondary swarm
run in all directions; on the aligting
board, on the front of the
hive and not uncommonly to a
neighbouring colony with a
good queen.
The queen has not returned from her mating flight.
The swarm immediately calms down if one gives it a
caged, fertilized queen. If one has a small colony with
a fertilized queen, one can unite them without provoking
a fight. If all else fails a frame with a capped
queen cell is sufficient.
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