Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Swarms, Cut Outs, Trap Outs and Bee Trees => Topic started by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 23, 2014, 06:52:34 pm

Title: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 23, 2014, 06:52:34 pm

I just went and picked up, what the lady said on the phone, was a very small swarm. When I got there it was about 6 feet high and about as big as a basketball. Got it with no problem. Got home and put it in my empty top bar hive. Sat and watched them a little while. There were a good many bees flying around. One of the bees came out on the landing board and started fanning her wings with her but in the air, for about 5 minutes, and most of the bees that were flying around went in the hive. In just a few minutes, another did the same thing. I guess I now have my second hive, if they stay.

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: G3farms on March 23, 2014, 07:23:13 pm

atta boy!!  Sounds like you got it going on. Time to put together more boxes!!

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: iddee on March 23, 2014, 07:35:17 pm

If that was your last box, you will get 3 calls in one day.   MURPHY'S LAW

Better get building or buying ASAP.

PS. Congrats

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Perry on March 23, 2014, 07:52:41 pm

What G3 and Iddee said, get building!
Congratulations.  :)

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Jen on March 23, 2014, 08:40:09 pm

Dang Skeeter! That's Great! If I lived near you I would come help paint! Oh! And get a camera! We love pictures!  ;) 8)

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 23, 2014, 08:44:12 pm

I`ve already got most of the lumber to build another one. I have everything but the top bar lumber.
I was just going to have one hive, but then I read you needed two, just in case one failed.
I built number two. Now I guess I`ll build number 3.
I really had no intentions of getting carried away, but OH WELL, it is fun.

Jen, I meant to take pics of the swarm, but I was so excited, I forgot.

Thanks all of you. Harper

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: blueblood on March 23, 2014, 08:47:59 pm

Nice work!  It's too late, you will get carried away...and, please do.  8)

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Jen on March 23, 2014, 08:52:19 pm

That's what I said Harper! just one is fine with me  :)  But I have two now that I caught my swarm. But seriously, if I saw another swarm I'd throw on my jammies and slipper and go right after it!

Kinda thinking of learning nucs for sale, this way I could stay in the fun game and still manage just two hives.

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: blueblood on March 23, 2014, 08:56:32 pm

It's hard to resist Jen.  I have four friends now I have infected and they are all happy to receive any of my overflow.  And, sometimes, they send me some.  I will continue to grow.  The only thing that is a challenge is storage space for all the equipment, primarily honey supers.

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: iddee on March 23, 2014, 09:37:11 pm

"For sale, one well established top bar hive. $350.00."

Those words on Craig's list will have your phone ringing off the hook.

OOPS. I forgot. Phones don't have hooks any more.  :-[

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Jen on March 23, 2014, 09:46:24 pm

Iddee - Wow! That is crazy

Blue- That is the same problem here. Storage- while living in the city. And as well as, I have to be careful of lifting. As it looks now that i caught my swarm, I now have one double deep and one single deep. So when I split the double I'll have three. Gonna have to do some math here...

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: blueblood on March 23, 2014, 10:11:11 pm

I have four acres to solve the problem....just build a barn with a honey house.  Just can't build it right now... :'(

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 23, 2014, 10:26:12 pm

Yea, I`ve got 5 acres, so really, what is the problem? Only money LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Jen on March 23, 2014, 10:43:27 pm

For Skeeters situation, you could go on craigs list and advertise that you need bee equipment!! and within range you would be willing to go and pick it up. There is the fact tho that you would have to clean and sterilize what you bring home.

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Slowmodem on March 23, 2014, 11:21:59 pm

Quote from: skeeterhawk1960 on March 23, 2014, 06:52:34 pm

I just went and picked up, what the lady said on the phone, was a very small swarm.

Hooray!!!   :goodjob:

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 23, 2014, 11:24:29 pm

Thanks Everyone.

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 25, 2014, 01:20:48 pm

I installed the swarm I got, Sunday, in one of my top bar hives. I went ahead and moved the follower board to the rear, because the cutout I installed previously in the other TBH, didn`t seem to like it. Probably a mistake, but anyway, the swarm clustered about 2/3 of the way back from the entrance. I checked this morning and they were still there. They had a comb about as big as 3 fingers on the bar at which they were clustered. I moved that bar to the front at the entrance which is where it should have been anyway. Do you think it was because of no follower board? Did I do right by moving the bar? Any advice would be great. Thanks. Harper

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 25, 2014, 01:31:30 pm

I think I have my answer.

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: Perry on March 25, 2014, 02:45:48 pm

Quote from: skeeterhawk1960 on March 25, 2014, 01:31:30 pm

I think I have my answer.

And you got it from a pretty smart feller too.  ;) ;D :)

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 25, 2014, 02:57:14 pm

You are alright, Perry. LOL

Title: Re: My first swarm ever
Post by: riverbee on March 26, 2014, 01:23:08 pm

"I think I have my answer. "

"And you got it from a pretty smart feller too.  ;) ;D :)"


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