josbees
House Bee
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Posts: 120
Location: Norwalk, Connecticut
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« on: May 22, 2008, 09:22:22 PM » |
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I didn't even think hard about this till today, but two days ago when I was about to requeen one of my hives after the first girl didn't make it, I was checking the frames, just to be sure there was no queen around. I was so intent at finding or not finding the big girl, that I wasn't paying the proper attention to the rest of the girls. And now it's on my mind. I requeened the hive, and am not planning on going back in for at least another week (other than topping up the sugar syrup up above).
But what I saw when I went in was this: when I nudged the frames apart, I noticed that there were a bunch of workers kind of hanging on to each other between the frames, and when I pulled the frames it was kind of like a spiderweb or mothy falling apart. I know that's a lousy description, but it's the best I can come up with.
I'd say there were about 50 bees, half on one frame and half on the next, and it was just like pulling a piece of cotton ball apart.
What do you all think? Are they just having a party between the frames, or are they desperately holding on to each other in the hope that I'll disappear and let them alone?
And PS, Love you guys, if I didn't already let you knlw that!
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doak
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« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2008, 09:26:22 PM » |
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A good sign, they are working. Building comb.
doak
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josbees
House Bee
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Posts: 120
Location: Norwalk, Connecticut
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« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2008, 09:28:13 PM » |
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Thanks!! See, if it wasn't for all of you I would have absolutely no clue. And here I was, thinking they were all turning into moth bees, or cotton ball bees, or some such!!
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KONASDAD
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« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2008, 10:05:31 PM » |
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festooning. Using their bodies as architectural guide.
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"The more complex the Mind, the Greater the need for the simplicity of Play".
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the kid
House Bee
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Location: mn
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« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2008, 10:08:11 PM » |
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I was told that when they make wax they chain ....
the kid
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doak
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« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2008, 10:10:05 PM » |
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also correct
doak
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annette
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« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2008, 11:39:36 PM » |
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I read here on this forum, that they need to be left alone when they are festooning. It all looks like very delicate work to me and I place them back in the hive quickly when I find them doing that. It brings such happiness to me when I see them doing this, knowing they are making the wax combs.
Take care
Annette
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doak
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« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2008, 11:52:20 PM » |
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good going, let them do their thing.
When you get a good colony going some time the only inspection needed is to look at the entrance for 5 or 10 minutes. If you're not taking honey off, adding a super or feeding, why open?
doak
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JP
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« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2008, 11:58:57 PM » |
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Be pep rallies!  ...JP |
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