Comments for Swarm pictures, traps, heat and harvest! at http://www.beethinking.com , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.beethinking.com Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:24:09 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.beethinking.com/blog/swarm-pictures-traps-heat-and-harvest#comment-13 Annissa, Thanks for the comment. Yes, it is quite common for them to do what is called "beard" on the front, sides, etc. of the hive when the population is large and the temperature is high. They do this mostly to cool down the internal temperature of the hive. While clustered outside you will generally see dozens to hundreds of bees standing near the entrance(s) flapping their wings furiously to pump air through the colony. This both cools it down and works to evaporate the water out of the honey to get it to the right sugar content. Matt - Matthew Reed Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:44:10 +0100 http://www.beethinking.com/blog/swarm-pictures-traps-heat-and-harvest#comment-12 So is it normal for bees to hang out outside the hive: on the sides and on the front of the hive, if it's hot? I'm new to beekeeping. annissa - Annissa Rhynders Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:46:05 +0100