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Author Topic: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!  (Read 6755 times)

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Offline Michelle

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two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« on: June 30, 2015, 04:37:43 pm »
so, in a nutshell, 2 hives swarmed today. Saw some commotion at the hives and bam, 2 separate swarms in the same tree!  I have no idea which hive the first swarm came from but I saw the other hive as it was swarming! I am running out of hive material! I started this year with 2 hives, I am now at 8 total!  :o https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152960741086814&set=pcb.10152960741976814&type=1&theater

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“One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care. Such is the quality of bees...”
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Offline apisbees

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2015, 05:16:31 pm »
Sweet running out of equiptment is not the worst thing that could happen. You can always recombine them. And think of all the foundation they will be willing to draw out for you.
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Offline Perry

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2015, 06:35:31 pm »
Must be nice to not have any tall trees around!  ;) :laugh:
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Offline Michelle

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2015, 06:50:35 pm »
thank goodness they like the hawthorne trees (bushes)
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“One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care. Such is the quality of bees...”
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Offline Jen

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2015, 07:01:53 pm »
You Go Michelle!


Are you getting more comfortable being around or within the swarms? I love them!
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Offline Michelle

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2015, 07:13:43 pm »
yes Jen! Easy Peasy! hahaha!
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Offline Lburou

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2015, 10:29:33 pm »
Fun story Michelle!

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but, I had a unique swarm occurrence three days ago.  If you don't mind, I'll share it here...

A glance toward the hives from my shop revealed a swarm in the air (0845 AM).  We get four or five softball-sized swarms each year -not our bees.  This was one of those small swarms.  I rushed down to stand in the midst of the swarm and I saw two dozen bees on a grass stem.  I jumped to the conclusion that they could be preparing to land there on the ground.  If that was true, I should look for a queen........And there she was!  I put her in a queenless NUC and the bees went back home.  :-)
« Last Edit: June 30, 2015, 10:32:24 pm by Lburou »
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Offline Jen

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2015, 10:58:30 pm »
HEY! That Is Queen-napping!  :o
     On the other hand.... that's a pretty daug gone good idea!  ;) It would never have occured to me to do that. I learned something today  ;D
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Offline apisbees

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2015, 06:20:06 pm »
Quote from: Lburou on June 30, 2015, 10:29:33 pm
Fun story Michelle!

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but, I had a unique swarm occurrence three days ago.  If you don't mind, I'll share it here...

A glance toward the hives from my shop revealed a swarm in the air (0845 AM).  We get four or five softball-sized swarms each year -not our bees.  This was one of those small swarms.  I rushed down to stand in the midst of the swarm and I saw two dozen bees on a grass stem.  I jumped to the conclusion that they could be preparing to land there on the ground.  If that was true, I should look for a queen........And there she was!  I put her in a queenless NUC and the bees went back home.  :-)
Could  be a cast swarm with the swarm being that small. If it is a cast the queen will be a virgin most likely. Did you cage her so the bees could do a slow release or released her directly into the hive?
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Offline Lburou

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2015, 12:06:07 am »
Apis, I assumed she was a virgin.  I put her in a 5 X 7 inch cage on the side of a frame of emerging brood.  I'll release her to mate in a day or two.  The bees in that hive are about to go laying worker so I wanted to give her every chance to succeed.   Jen, I'm holding her for ransom....  ;-)
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Offline apisbees

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2015, 06:13:23 am »
Good to hear It is what I would have proceeded. Especially this year as the weather is off and poor nectar flows are causing the bees to react in unpredictable ways.
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Offline Lburou

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2015, 08:27:56 am »
Michelle, how are those swarms doing?

Apis, thanks for the support on those decisions.  Since I see several groups of bees like this each year, I'm going to see how aggressive they will be as a mature hive.  Their tendency to usurp mating NUCs has me concerned in terms of AHB influences.
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Offline Michelle

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Re: two swarms, 1 tree, same time!
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2015, 01:25:24 pm »
the swarms are doing good! I checked them yesterday! Lots of bees in there!
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“One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care. Such is the quality of bees...”
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