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> From: Trevor Weatherhead <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Washboarding by bees
> Date: Saturday, June 07, 1997 5:41 AM
>
> In Australia, this is often referred to as "Rothenbuhler syndrome".  It
is
> said that these are resistant but I am not sure what to.  I am unaware of
any
> tests that have been carried out.
>
> I often wonder if this phenomen was associated with Rohenbuhler's AFB
> resistant bees.  Does anyone know?
>
> I have had hives do this but only one or two in an apiary.  I have a
photo
> somewhere of bees washboarding up the front of a hive.
>
> Trevor Weatherhead
> AUSTRALIA
 
I think you will find a very good explanation of washboarding in the Hive
and Honey Bee.  It is primarily a behavior that  is performed when there is
little or no nectar coming in.  With no nectar being evaporated,  the hive
becomes harder to cool and the idle bees move outside where it is cooler.
This in turn allows better air flow because there is less congestion in the
hive.
 
We have been having 75 to 80 degree temps here in Southeast Tennessee USA..
 We also have been having a lot of rain.  On days when the rain has
recently stopped, my bees have been washboarding.  As soon as things dry
out and nectar begins to flow, the washboarding stops and very few bees are
observed at the hive entrance except those arriving or leaving.  I can
always tell that the flow is slowing down in July,  because the start
washbording.  When the flow stops,  the landing board will be covered with
bees and others will be hanging from the landing board in clusters.
 
I have also observed this behavior in newly started colonies that have a
large number of young bees but do not yet have large enough field force to
keep them busy.
 
 
Frank Humphrey
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