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Author Topic: 1st swarm of the year  (Read 12815 times)

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Offline apisbees

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Re: 1st swarm of the year
« Reply #20 on: March 13, 2014, 06:45:07 pm »
Their are multiple factors first, the place the swarm settles at when they leave the hive. This can be different between prime and cast swarms. Cast swarms cluster near to the hives.
After this it is the how the bees select their new home. This is where the placement of the bait hive effects whether a swarm enters it. We know 6ft. off the ground and the cavity size bait it to attract a passing scout to check it out as a possible new colony location, and also to have the secondary scouts return to the swarm with the consensus that it is the best location to relocate to.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: 1st swarm of the year
« Reply #21 on: March 13, 2014, 07:02:09 pm »
Quote from: rcannon on March 11, 2014, 08:37:38 pm
Missed one, caught one.
The wife called about lunch time, said a swarm was hanging on the neighbors mailbox, but I was a long way from home. Missed that one.

Why didn't you get her to collect it? simple instructions white sheet on ground at the around the bottom hive body on bottom board with cover placed on the sheet with the entrance facing a few inches from where the bees will land. Hit the mail box with a 2 X 4, Bass ball bat, a wet mop, sweep the bees down with a broom, Walk away in most cases they will enter the hive.

Just a thought but I bet you if a person set up a sprinkler over the swarm so they had steady drops of water raining down on them they would not break cluster to move to a new location. it would give you the time to get to them. Need to check this out.
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Offline rcannon

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Re: 1st swarm of the year
« Reply #22 on: March 13, 2014, 08:45:41 pm »
There is a parent hive(s) somewhere nearby, but I've been hunting that thing for two years and haven't found it. I set traps out every year and see bees around them, but never caught any. I'll find it one of these days.
Some of the guys at work say that they used to see a lot of swarms years ago but no too many in recent years. There was a big bee tree there at one time but the Storm of the Century blew it down and the county hauled it off.
I think at some point, the wife will have a little more to do with the bees, but not yet. I'm trying to let her move at her own pace. She may even help catch some swarms one day. That would help me, as I work 80 miles from home.
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: 1st swarm of the year
« Reply #23 on: March 13, 2014, 11:24:20 pm »
   A swarm that didnt go far from the parent colony....    ;D

   www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org/beekeeping_class/hiving-a-swarm/



  I've seen several instances of swarms issuing and immediately clustering under screened bottom boards.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2014, 11:26:10 pm by LazyBkpr »
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