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Just a guess, but I would say likely an abscond from aa SHB slimed hive. The bees are trying to clean the queen.

Jacobs beat me to it.

How were the queen cells open. On the side, or nice round hole on the bottom end?

I've heard some say their bees were so gentle they could work them with no protection, or even no smoke. I had 2 hives like that 3 weeks ago. Today, I smoked them both and opened the first one. It was normal. I opened the second one and walked away quickly. About 20 stings when I opened it and more ...

NICE

Unless cash is no object, I would recommend one thing different from the above. I would start with one box each for two hives, two top feeders, and no queen excluder the first two years. A queen excluder is like a gun, it can be very useful used properly, but deadly "to the bees" if used w...

About 3 lbs Denton, N.C.

Doing it that way will work most times. Removing the queen to the nuc will work much better.If the hive is in swarm mode, they will swarm anyway if you do not remove her.

They went into swarm mode because of hive conditions. ""overcrowding, ETC."" Without reducing the swarming conditions, they will just build more cells and swarm. Better to remove the queen and make a nuc. Advertise and put a few bucks in your pocket. Nucs sell well and I don't kn...

Congrats.

A good sign of swarming prep. Better check for swarm cells.

Queens can start laying anytime after solstice. Dec 21, 22. A few drone cells may well have been laid in January. A better prospect than over wintering.

Queens can start laying anytime after solstice. Dec 21, 22. A few drone cells may well have been laid in January. A better prospect than over wintering.

63 F. here right now. Great day to check food stores and feed if needed.

I have Dandelions blooming in my yard.

That's why I answered your post under mites the way I did. ""October is approx. when drones are kicked out and will be visiting other hives looking for food and shelter. They are the #1 transporter of mites. I would definitely do a mite check about the first frost forecast."" Yes...

Don't know what it is, but I have a tiny purple flower in the yard. Smaller then dead nettle. The bees are working it today.

October is approx. when drones are kicked out and will be visiting other hives looking for food and shelter. They are the #1 transporter of mites. I would definitely do a mite check about the first frost forecast.

I think that goes under "a little humor"

That's NOT what I mean. My robber screens are on a bottom entrance hive, but only have an entrance from the top of the screen. No entrance from the bottom of the screen.

See it here.

https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/i ... 8#msg44188