Hello all - I just retrieved a 5.5 lb swarm this morning from a suburban neighborhood in Chapel Hill, NC. It was only about 8 feet up in a small cherry tree and came out easily with a few snips from my pruners. I just hived it into my first TBH.
Darn, after walking inside to type this post, I looked out the window to see the "swarm" flying up 80 feet into a pine tree top just above the hive. I have put lemongrass oil on the new TBH. Any other ideas???
...Tim
Catch them and keep them blocked in a bit?
Yep, if you want them you will have to catch them, then add feed and a queen includer. You never mentioned how much lemon grass was added but just a smideon does the trick, too much could cause them to leave.
Some swarms are difficult to keep boxed, queen includer is your best bet in keepin 'em put.
...JP
I only put about 2 drops of lemongrass oil on the hive....One drop inside on some comb, and another at the entrance....
Unfortunately the bees were a bit high for me to recapture and it looks like the moved on to a new location. Next time I will try and keep them sealed a bit longer via a "queen includer"...
Would it have helped to have sprayed them with sugar water before hiving them (like with a package)?
Spraying them with sugar water provides instant feed and wets their wings so they don't fly as much as least temporarily.
Queen includer is the best insurance.
...JP