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| Bees on a post |
When I left for the farm last weekend, 2nd Family emailed and said that when I opened the gate, I should be careful, a bee party was going on near the lock.
It was a group of about 40 bees that made a temporary home on the gatepost.
When I got to the farm they were there and when I left they were there, but no more had arrived. This was over a week ago. When we went out this past weekend, they were STILL there. Strange huh?
I looked at them up close and didn't see any queen. When it rains, they leave, and then when it's dry, they come back. Any thoughts?
With all the problems bees have in the world right now, I worry about them.
UPDATE:
I contacted a bee person and, just like several of you confirmed below as well, they are most likely scout bees looking for a new home. There is something attracting them to that post for whatever reason and they are seeing if it would be a viable new home. They'll hang around, swapping out scout bees (almost like a changing of the guard) and then will eventually give up and move on to find another place.
I looked at them up close and didn't see any queen. When it rains, they leave, and then when it's dry, they come back. Any thoughts?
With all the problems bees have in the world right now, I worry about them.
UPDATE:
I contacted a bee person and, just like several of you confirmed below as well, they are most likely scout bees looking for a new home. There is something attracting them to that post for whatever reason and they are seeing if it would be a viable new home. They'll hang around, swapping out scout bees (almost like a changing of the guard) and then will eventually give up and move on to find another place.
i have no idea but i will be very interested in knowing why they are doing this.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm curious too, it's so strange.
DeleteI don't know either but as long as they are still alive it sounds good! Maybe a bee keeper could tell you something,
ReplyDelete2nd Family is going to locate a beekeeper. I'm going to email the lady that I took the beekeeping class from as well. We'll figure it out.
DeleteMaybe they started making a new beehive if the post is rotted and hollow inside.
ReplyDeleteOooh, now that's an interesting theory. I'll see what I can find out.
Deleteok....don't kill me if i don't have this exactly right but i think it's called a swarm and wild bees do it all the time. they find a place they like and they set up house. beekeepers go looking for swarms to try and entice them to their hives. hopefully there is a proper beekeeper in your followers that can help answer this.
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
I'm going to make some contacts and see what we can come up with. That's a good thought too. 2nd Family has actually had a swarm out there once, hung out on their tree for a few days before flying on.
DeleteBEES ON A POST!!
ReplyDeleteI'll bee sure and keep you posted! :-P
DeleteI'd be concerned as well...bees are certainly in trouble at the moment. I'm sorry I can't help, but here's a link to a group that looks VERY helpful and informative: http://www.beesource.com/
ReplyDeleteYes, to say bees are in a state of crisis now would be an understatement huh? I will definitely check out the link, thank you for sharing it.
DeleteI think it is an opportunity to set-up a hive, if you can locate a queen. If there is no queen then I would let the bees do what they are doing without intervening.
ReplyDeleteVelva
I figured there was a queen there somewhere but I've taken a bee class and saw some queen bees up close and there is not one I can find anywhere around this group. I'll keep my eye on it, it's a mystery.
DeleteThat is awfully strange for just that many bees to be doing this. Maybe there's some kind of sap in that post that they are interested in. I finally got a bee hive and took a few classes but I am still stumped by their behavior. For these bees to just stay right there is a bit strange indeed. I sure hope you find out why.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that too. You have a hive? How exciting. I am trying to figure out the best spot on the property for one for us. I took a bee class a year or so ago and loved it.
DeleteIt is common bee behavior. The hive is too large and they send out a search party for new digs. It may not be the same grouping of bees. Pheromones play a large part in bee society. I know this stuff because, well I've been paid to know this stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome. And you are right! I asked a bee person here about it and they said the same thing. Just like Leanan said below too, they are scouting for a new home and are attracted to that post for whatever reason. They are almost gone now, I'll have a picture in the next weekend update. Thank you for sharing!!!
DeleteThere is probably somebody that has beehives in your area. This bees are called scout bees and they started swarming.
ReplyDeleteThey look for new place to make a hive and there is probably something in that post that attracts them so they think they could make their new home here. When it rains they go back to their hive. If it's only 40 of them they will stop. Usually one full swarm has 40 000 - 80 000 bees. They will go away as soon as they see that they can't make a new home here.
Thank YOU as well, great info. Yep, they are looking for a home and are hanging around there. You are wonderful for posting this info. I'll update my post.
Delete