Swarm on 8/11

[Bakersdozen]

I looked out yesterday to see a swarm high up in a tree. Yes, I would bet it's from one of my hives. Now to go look for queen cells. I will probably combine them with another colony. It's pretty late in the year to allow them to requeen themselves. As for the swarm, they are still hanging in the tree. There aren't any nectar sources out there unless it's soybeans. I put a brood box out with an old brood frame. If they move in I will figure something out.  If not, it's been good knowing you.

[iddee]

What size swarm? If less than a pound, probably an abscond. Box will be empty if from your hive. If a true swarm, a fall queen is gold. Just enough time to get it down pat, and starting with a fresh queen in the spring. Many commercial keeps requeen in the fall for just that purpose.

[efmesch]

In Israel  it is standard practice to re-queen in the fall.  The families are then generally smaller and easier to work with and the queens greet the early spring months (late January to early March) with a burst of brood.