bearding even after dark

[u/KaptainKoala]

I think I have a crowding problem. The days lately have been in the 90s so I thought the bearding was normal until tonight. The sun was almost down and there was still a large beard hanging from the entrance and the front face of the hive was covered in bees as well. I checked an hour later when the sun is completely down and its 83 degrees outside and still a beard and bees milling about outside. I have a brood box (deep) that as of last inspection (8 days ago) was partially full, maybe 1/3rd with capped brood, some larva but a good amount of empty cells. (the crescent shape of honey and pollen is there)...I have a second deep that is almost completly full of capped honey and nectar and then a medium super that they won't draw comb on. I did not see any queen cells as of last inspection. I will be going back in on Friday unless you guys think I need to check something sooner or rearrange stuff.

Virginia / first year

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[u/404-skill_not_found]

It’s actually pretty normal. You can add some ventilation. It can be as simple or complicated as you like. Simplest is some kind of 1/8” stick (those old wood kitchen matches do great) between the inner lid and topmost super. Some do one side or the other. Some do all four corners. I vented heavily last year and not at all this year. I haven’t noticed a difference. We’ve been above 100F nearly every day since mid July. Thankfully that looks to be coming to an end here in the next few days.

[u/Tweedone]

I agree with Mr404, you need some top ventilation. Completely normal hot weather behavior BUT you are wise to also see it as an indication of a crowded colony. The fall is a balancing act of getting them to bulk up numbers but not cast a late swarm. Sounds like you are spot on! (one of my home hives is in same condition with knotweed coming on etc).

[u/NumCustosApes]

Not as dark outside as it is inside. 83° is nice porch loafing weather for humans. At the risk of anthropomorphizing the bees, perhaps they think so too.

[u/Plenty-Giraffe6022]

Bees don't beard because of the temperature outside the hive.