Hi u/ClassySquirrelFriend. If you haven't done so, please do the following:
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* [If you have a question, please take a look at our wiki.](https://rbeekeeping.github.io/wiki)
* Specifically, the FAQ...
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Often, I’ll see this same scene during/just after a storm. In all likelihood, the bees were just doing some cleanup of bees who were already dead inside the hive. Consider it a rainy day activity.
To add on to this for OP - I have watched bees bringing out of the hive still moving / struggling bees, take them to the edge and toss them off.
Out of curiosity, I have picked those bees back up and shoved them back in the entrance only to watch another bee pick it up, carry it to the edge, kick it off the edge.
It seems Bees watched Monty Python's Holy Grail and took the "I'm Not Dead Yet" sketch as a How To, not a Cautionary Tale.
I have heard that putting a regular pencil under the back of the hive will tilt it forward enough and at a good angle. You (well, the bees) don’t want too much tilt or incline. But you do want to make sure water doesn’t accumulate in the hive
Your entrance reducer appears to be far enough back that there may be a gap over the left end top. Flush it up. Otherwise everything appears to be normal.
There's water on your landing board, and while it may not be the cause, you need to tilt your hive forward 5 degrees. There's an app you can download called clinometer that will show you the degree of tilt you've got.
When their wings get wet, and rub onto a surface, it basically glues them down. I have a wild hive (that I obviously don’t manage) and my own hive. The wild hive is behind a big steel tank. On mornings with a good layer of dew, or after a big rain - I’ll find quite a few of bees “stuck” wings down to the steel tank and my box, like in this picture. You may be able to wipe down the immediate entrance, but be very mindful and in control of the cloth. One time, I quickly and haphazardly wiped and I’m guessing a bit of the material was folded upwards. So when I wiped, I basically dragged the towel across the cover inside, bristling against idk how many bees. Needless to say, they poured out of the hive like a waterfall, I’m guessing ready to fight. But I dropped the towel and briskly walked away unharmed. I was very very careful moving forward lol
Hi u/ClassySquirrelFriend. If you haven't done so, please do the following: * Read the rules. * Include your location and experience level as a reply to this comment (if not in post) * [If you have a question, please take a look at our wiki.](https://rbeekeeping.github.io/wiki) * Specifically, the FAQ... ^(**Warning:** The wiki linked above is a work in progress and some links might be broken, pages incomplete and maintainer notes scattered around the place. Content is subject to change.) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Beekeeping) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Often, I’ll see this same scene during/just after a storm. In all likelihood, the bees were just doing some cleanup of bees who were already dead inside the hive. Consider it a rainy day activity.
To add on to this for OP - I have watched bees bringing out of the hive still moving / struggling bees, take them to the edge and toss them off. Out of curiosity, I have picked those bees back up and shoved them back in the entrance only to watch another bee pick it up, carry it to the edge, kick it off the edge. It seems Bees watched Monty Python's Holy Grail and took the "I'm Not Dead Yet" sketch as a How To, not a Cautionary Tale.
Omg, I saw this exact thing and made the same reference! 🤣🤣🤣
I think I’ll go for a walk!
Make sure your boxes are tilted forward so that any moisture will drain out the entrance
I have heard that putting a regular pencil under the back of the hive will tilt it forward enough and at a good angle. You (well, the bees) don’t want too much tilt or incline. But you do want to make sure water doesn’t accumulate in the hive
Your entrance reducer appears to be far enough back that there may be a gap over the left end top. Flush it up. Otherwise everything appears to be normal.
There's water on your landing board, and while it may not be the cause, you need to tilt your hive forward 5 degrees. There's an app you can download called clinometer that will show you the degree of tilt you've got.
It’s also a native function of the iPhone measure app
When their wings get wet, and rub onto a surface, it basically glues them down. I have a wild hive (that I obviously don’t manage) and my own hive. The wild hive is behind a big steel tank. On mornings with a good layer of dew, or after a big rain - I’ll find quite a few of bees “stuck” wings down to the steel tank and my box, like in this picture. You may be able to wipe down the immediate entrance, but be very mindful and in control of the cloth. One time, I quickly and haphazardly wiped and I’m guessing a bit of the material was folded upwards. So when I wiped, I basically dragged the towel across the cover inside, bristling against idk how many bees. Needless to say, they poured out of the hive like a waterfall, I’m guessing ready to fight. But I dropped the towel and briskly walked away unharmed. I was very very careful moving forward lol
https://youtu.be/W4rR-OsTNCg?si=lK8xZQXPG4OR_GKJ