Why watch the entrance
The entrance is the easiest place to learn about a colony without opening it. Sitting a few minutes watching can tell you whether bees are bringing in pollen, whether the colony is defending itself, and sometimes whether something is wrong. It does not replace an inspection, but it helps you decide when one is needed.
Different colonies and seasons look different, so it helps to learn what normal looks like for your own hives.
Normal activity
On a warm day you might see:
- Foragers leaving and returning (see bee foraging range). Returning bees may carry pollen loads on their hind legs in various colors.
- Guard bees (one of the jobs in the bee hive hierarchy) near the entrance, inspecting arrivals. They tend to stop strangers.
- Undertaker bees carrying dead bees away from the hive.
- Traffic that changes with weather and time of day. Flight is usually heaviest on warm, calm days.
A steady stream of pollen-carrying bees often suggests there is brood being raised, though it is not conclusive.
Orientation flights
Young bees make short flights near the hive to learn its location. They hover facing the entrance, often in the afternoon, and sometimes in large numbers in a cloud. This can look like a swarm or like robbing, but it is calm, repeated, and the bees return. A flow of bees that fades after a short time is typical.
Fanning
Bees standing with their abdomens raised and wings beating, facing into or out of the entrance, are usually fanning. They may be ventilating the hive, cooling it, or helping to evaporate nectar. A fanning group at the entrance is common in warm weather and during a nectar flow. Fanning bees at the entrance may also be spreading scent, which helps returning bees find their way.
Washboarding
Washboarding is when bees line up on the outside of the hive, often near the entrance, and rock back and forth on the wood. Beekeepers debate why. Some think it is a cleaning activity. It is generally seen as harmless. It is not the same as bearding.
Bearding
Bearding is a large cluster of bees on the front of the hive, usually in hot weather or in the evening. It is typically a response to heat and crowding. See bee bearding for how to tell it from swarm preparation.
Robbing: how to tell
Robbing is when bees from other colonies try to steal honey from a hive. It is most common when little nectar is available. Signs commonly described:
- Bees darting, hovering, and approaching the entrance in a zigzag manner
- Fighting at the entrance, with bees grappling or falling to the ground
- Bees leaving the hive heavily loaded, with no pollen
- Many bees crowding the cracks and joints of the box
- Wax bits at the entrance as bees tear open cappings
Robbing can escalate quickly and may kill a weak colony. Reducing the entrance (entrance reducers), closing gaps, and not leaving honey or syrup exposed are common responses, and robbing screens are designed for the problem. Unlike robbing, orientation flights are gentle, and bearding bees do not fight. Small splits are particularly at risk, as described in how to split a bee hive.
Signs of swarming
Swarming is typically a burst of activity. Large numbers of bees pour out of the entrance and fill the air with a roaring cloud, then cluster nearby, often on a branch. It tends to happen on warm days, often between late morning and early afternoon. Before a swarm leaves, you may find queen cells inside, as in swarm cells, and the queen may be slimmer because she has been laying less. After a swarm leaves, a colony usually looks quieter. If you see a swarm, you can contact a local beekeeper or club, and see attracting a swarm of honey bees if you want to catch one.
Warning signs of trouble
Some entrance sights are worth a closer look:
- A big drop in traffic compared with similar colonies
- Many dead or dying bees on the ground or landing board
- Bees with crawling, trembling, or deformed wings
- Streaks of feces on the front of the hive
- Aggressive behavior that is unusual for that colony
These can have many causes, including disease, pesticide exposure, starvation, or mites, and the entrance alone cannot diagnose them. Inspect (see what a healthy bee hive looks like), and ask a local mentor.
What month do bees stop swarming?
It depends on location and weather. In many temperate regions swarming peaks in spring and early summer, and drops off as the main nectar flow ends, but late swarms occasionally occur.
Why did a bee enter my house?
A single bee may have flown in through an open door or window, followed light, or be lost. It is rarely a sign of a swarm. If many bees keep entering a building, there may be a colony in a wall or chimney, and a local beekeeper or removal professional can advise.