Author Topic: Same tree, different swarm  (Read 2948 times)

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Offline neillsayers

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Same tree, different swarm
« on: May 10, 2019, 09:26:16 pm »
 Rained all morning until noon, then the sun broke out. Looked out my window and there's a swarm in the same tree as last time! Only this time they are about 15' higher up. After more trimming, pulling over with rope and dumping, followed with scooping I have them in a box. Then the rain starts all over. You'd think they'd have sense enough to wait for a clear day. :)
Neill Sayers
Herbhome Bees
USDA Zone 7a

Offline neillsayers

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Re: Same tree, different swarm
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2019, 05:09:11 pm »
Got em hived today. Need to check other hives to figure out if they came from one of mine but they don't look like my bees. I won't be surprised if they turn out to be ferals attracted to my apiary. I haven't seen the queen but their behavior leads me to believe she's in there. Fingers crossed.  :)
Neill Sayers
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Offline Jen

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Re: Same tree, different swarm
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2019, 01:25:20 pm »
Now Neil...  :) please clarify "they don't look like my bees" ???
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline neillsayers

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Re: Same tree, different swarm
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2019, 03:58:11 pm »
Jen,

The bees I have now are Italians, really bright yellow with bands. The ones I started with were russians and were brown with bands or sometimes black, more caucasian looking. I lost at least 8 swarms with them because I was working all the time building my daughter's house. So I guess I seeded the woods around here with those genetics. :)

Since I posted this I had another swarm! This one landed about 60-70' up an oak tree. They are still up there. I waved to them, wished em well and said a prayer for their safety.

The weather has been so wet and crummy, I can't get into the hives and as soon as the sun breaks out-bam-out comes a swarm and the afternoon is eaten up with that. I got all 6 hives through winter and I'm up to 10 already. Don't really want any more this year.

Heading out in a bit to inspect for more swarm cells. Ugh! :)

Thanks for the reply, Jen. How are your bees doing this year?
Neill Sayers
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USDA Zone 7a

Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Same tree, different swarm
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2019, 07:50:22 pm »
I am hearing reports from other beekeepers around here (northeast Kansas) about the same. Too wet to inspect.  When you do get a chance to inspect, the hives are filled with queen cells.  In another post, rober sounded like he was having the same problems.

Offline rober

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Re: Same tree, different swarm
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2019, 09:11:54 am »
just noticed this.
YUP- having the same issue. just started a thread about rain & swarms.

Offline neillsayers

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Re: Same tree, different swarm
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2019, 04:33:31 pm »
Thanks everyone,

It is encouraging that I'm not the only one with this problem.

That swarm I mentioned earlier, is gone now. I didn't catch them leaving or I would have tried to follow. Hope they do okay. :)
Neill Sayers
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USDA Zone 7a