Bees gathering about or hanging from the hive entrance, beneath hive bottom, or on the outside of the box above the entrance on hot days, warm and humid evenings, or when colony population within hive is dense. Bearding bees numbering into the hundreds and not attempting to enter the hive but often returning inside when the weather cools overnight or the next day.
Stationary bees gathering outside and around a hive entrance, typically hanging on the hive landing board or beneath the hive bottom board, looking similar to a beard on the face of the hive. Bearding is thought to be a colony adult population response to hot, humid environmental conditions. May be especially evident in strong, populous colonies on hot days, warm and humid evenings, or when colony population within the hive is dense. Bearding bees do not attempt to enter the hive entrance until sometime overnight.
A bee beard can be created on a human by hanging caged queen or queen substance below the chin so bees create a beard-like cluster within several minutes.
Heavy orientation flight activity, though in this activity bees are observed landing on and then walking into colony; washboarding behavior.
Burlew R. 2022. If your bees actually want to beard, let them. Honey Bee Suite. Accessed 2023. https://www.honeybeesuite.com/let-your-bees-beard/
Lee K. 2011. How to make a bee beard. BeeInformed. Accessed 2023. https://beeinformed.org/2011/08/01/how-to-make-a-bee-beard/
