So, Thymol has a melting point of 120 to 124 F, it really shouldn't be melting inside a beehive.  And, if it doesn't disappear to any appreciable extent at hive temperatures (outside the hive) then either the bees are moving it out, or there is some other environmental factor inside the hive affecting the sublimation process.  The only thing I can think of is fanning.  Air movement could have a significant impact on the sublimation process by physically moving individual gaseous thymol molecules away from the crystals preventing recrystallization or reducing the rate of recrystalization.  All of these types of processes are equilibria so anything that perturbs the equilibrium changes the rate of the process.  Also, just because some bees exposed to intial placement of Thymol in a hive shy away from it, doesn't mean that other bees will be tasked, or task themselves with removing it later, once the hive is put back together...  

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