I had a beekeeping crisis this morning. Last night I was out around 9:30 and some of the girls were still hanging around outside. I thought that it was weird but didn't worry because I had planned on checking on them today.
When I went to put the dogs out this morning I couldn't believe my eyes. There were hundreds of bees flying above the hive and literally thousands clinging to the outside.
I'm thinking. Crap, crap, crap. They are going to swarm and leave. So I freak out and do the only thing I can think of. Make more room. I put together ten frames with wax foundation in record time. Then I light the smoker and put on my gear. It's ninety degrees and I am covered from head to toe.
I race out to the hive and am momentarily stunned by the sheer amount of bees. Crap, crap, crap. After pulling the bee covered outside lid and inner cover I put the new box on top. Then I stand back try to catch some shade and watch. I was out there a good half hour as the bees slowly walked back into the hive or flew off to work.
The only thing I can figure is that in the last week the new worker bees matured (it takes 21 days) and that coupled with the heat made them not want to be in that hive. So now I am hoping they are more comfortable and happy.
Whew! That was a close one. Could I be a more typical newbie beekeeper?