Nest
Bees investigate the opening of a new nest site in a
hollow tree trunk.
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When investigating a potential site for a new hive, scout bees
carefully check the cavity to ensure it meets certain
specifications. It must be large enough to hold a volume of
not less than about six and a half gallons. It must have a
small entrance that has a maximum diameter of about one and a
half inches and that lies near the base to facilitate removal
of waste. Finally, it should face south for warmth, and it
should lie high off the ground to protect against predators.
Once they have identified a suitable site, honeybees scrape
off any loose wood or other debris and coat the interior
surface with propolis, or dried tree resin. They then starting
generating beeswax to build the
combs.
If this swarming honeybee colony cannot find a good
site for a new hive soon, it will perish.
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Photos: ©1998 ORF.
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