Take Off and Landing

4/12/2013

If you look at the photo of the hive you will see a small ledge just outside the entrance. This is the landing area. The entrance is small so the bees need a place to slow down so they don't fly into a wall when they enter. About five feet in front of each hive is a very busy flight and landing area just like an airport. As a beekeeper I can use this information to stay out of their way. When I am checking my bees I enter from the back of the hive so the bees don't have to fly around me to get back inside. The first time I checked on them I didn't know this. I stood in front of the hive with hundreds of bees buzzing all around me. They had to fly around my legs just to get home. Now, I do my best to not drive them crazy or get in their way. After all, they are doing all the hard work.

You can see these bees aiming for their own hive.

Here is a funny clip that shows just how busy the landing area can be.

VideoGeeks: Shot on Red Epic at 300fps.
BugGeeks: The bees fan the entrance of the hive to regulate the colony temperature (and to clear the smoke we were using on them)

2 Comments

Momma Mitchell

4/14/2013 05:32:17 am

Totally interesting. You are a great teacher and problem solver. Glad you figured out about the backside of the hive.

Lijah J

4/26/2013 08:45:37 am

God made the bees. Amanda, do bees sting each other on the back or something? I was wondering. I know what bees make -- they make honey! I love you, Amanda. By Lijah. And love, Lijah. (I am 5 and a half, almost 6).

Buzz (the blog)