What symptom may indicate that bees are overheating?

Crowding at the entrance or hanging outside the hive is a symptom that can indicate that bees are overheating. When internal hive temperatures rise, bees exhibit this behavior as a means of cooling the colony. They will often cluster at the entrance or form a cluster outside to allow airflow through the hive. This behavior helps to regulate the temperature within the hive, as bees fan their wings to create ventilation.

In contrast, while honey production declines, frequent swarming, and increased buzzing noise can all be related to various issues within a bee colony, they do not specifically point to overheating. Honey production may decrease due to various factors including lack of foraging opportunities or poor weather. Frequent swarming can happen for several reasons, including overcrowding or health issues, and increased buzzing noise may indicate activity levels rather than directly relate to the temperature within the hive. Thus, the specific symptom of bees crowding at the entrance or hanging outside the hive is a clear indicator of their efforts to manage overheating.