What is a key characteristic of a colony that is prepared to swarm?

A colony that is prepared to swarm typically exhibits a key characteristic of having multiple queen cells. When a colony decides to swarm, it is a natural reproductive process where the existing queen leaves the hive with a portion of the worker bees to establish a new colony. To facilitate this process, the colony begins to prepare for the arrival of new queens.

Multiple queen cells are constructed to ensure that there are viable offspring to replace the old queen. These cells are usually located on the edges of the comb and are larger than regular brood cells. The presence of these queen cells indicates that the bees are in a pre-swarming phase and are preparing for a successful division of the colony.

In contrast, a high number of drones present could indicate that the hive is preparing for mating activities, but it is not a direct indicator of swarming. Low food resources would typically indicate high stress on the colony and would make swarming less likely. An increased hive temperature could be related to several factors, including high bee activity during the summer months, but it is not a defining characteristic of a swarming colony. Therefore, the presence of multiple queen cells is the most reliable sign that a colony is preparing to swarm.