What is a sign of congestion in a beehive?

Congestion in a beehive is primarily indicated by crowding within the hive. This condition occurs when there are too many bees in a confined space, leading to limited access to resources, difficulty in movement, and a heightened risk of swarming. When the hive is congested, the bees may struggle to find enough room to carry out their activities, such as brood care, storage of food, and overall hive maintenance.

Crowding can also affect the queen’s ability to lay eggs, as there may not be enough room for her to do so effectively. Observing signs of congestion, such as bees clustering at the entrance or even hanging outside the hive, alerts beekeepers to the need for intervention, which could include adding additional space or supers to encourage better hive management.

Increased foraging and excessive honey production may occur under different circumstances and do not necessarily indicate congestion. A low bee population does not suggest congestion but rather can indicate other problems within the hive, such as disease or poor queen performance.