Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Swarms, Cut Outs, Trap Outs and Bee Trees => Topic started by: Barbarian on June 29, 2015, 02:04:09 am

Title: Unusual (?) Swarm Behaviour
Post by: Barbarian on June 29, 2015, 02:04:09 am
27/6/15 ---- After several days of scout activity a swarm arrived at my bait hive at 8.15 am. Most of the swarm had moved into the hive within 30 mins or so. Oreintating was see for the next few hours.
                   At 1.00 pm, a swarm like cloud was in the air in front of the hive. First thought --- absconding (didn't happen). Another swarm arriving --- no fighting. Bees settled on front of hive and moved in. Back to orientating.

                  Standard bait hive. BB with small entrance, one frame of old comb and one of foundation. Not in sun.

                  At dusk, hive opened, prime swarm. Given 2 more frames of foundation and moved to a new position.

28/6/15 --- Hive settled and bees orientating. Normal activity.

I was puzzled by the bees coming out at 1.00 pm. Any ideas ?


 
Title: Re: Unusual (?) Swarm Behaviour
Post by: iddee on June 29, 2015, 09:12:11 am
Many times a swarm will split and land in two places. Once they have found a home, both will move in, not always at the same time. If you had seen them while clustered, they likely were in two clusters. If you hived one cluster, the other would have followed.  I have hived a double clustered swarm in two boxes, then they would combine themselves later the same day.
Title: Re: Unusual (?) Swarm Behaviour
Post by: apisbees on June 29, 2015, 02:20:25 pm
If the hives are giving off cast swarms which are swarms with virgin queens. 2 or more of these swarms will group together and the virgin queens will work it out.