Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: schawee on March 13, 2010, 08:43:27 PM

Title: swarm caught today
Post by: schawee on March 13, 2010, 08:43:27 PM
I DID MY SPLITS TODAY BEFORE LUNCH.AFTER LUNCH I WENT BACK TO THE BEES JUST TO SEE IF EVERYTHING WAS OK.I WAS SITTING DOWN LOOKING AT THE GIRLS FLYING IN AND OUT OF THE NEW SPLITS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BUZZING BEHIND ME.WHEN I TURNED TO SEE, THE SKY WAS FULL OF BEES.THEY LANDED 25 FT. AWAY ON A BRANCH.I HAD A EXTRA BROOD BOX IN MY TRUCK SO I GOT IT AND PUT THE BEES IN IT .THIS WAS A BIG SWARM.THEY FILLED THE BOX UP SO I HAD TO GET ANOTHER BOX TO PUT ON IT. WHAT LUCK THIS WAS.IS IT NORMAL FOR SWARMS FROM OTHER PLACES TO BE ATRACKED TO YOUR BEE YARD?       :bee:BRUCE :bee:
Title: Re: swarm caught today
Post by: Natalie on March 13, 2010, 09:39:17 PM
Congratulations on your swarm catch! Are you sure they weren't from your own bees?
I have heard that when bees swarm they really don't go that far, do you have any other beeks near your yard? Could be wild though I guess too.
I have heard of bees taking up residence in empty hives in people's yards so I assume the scent attracts them, still though you had to have them living fairly close by.
Title: Re: swarm caught today
Post by: schawee on March 13, 2010, 11:01:08 PM
NATALIE,IM SURE IT DIDN'T COME FROM MY HIVES OR  ANOTHER BEEKEEPER.IM SURE ITS A WILD SWARM.THIS YEAR I WILL TRY AND DO SOME BEE LINING .MYBE I WILL FIND THEIR OLD HOME......... :bee:
Title: Re: swarm caught today
Post by: Natalie on March 14, 2010, 12:29:25 AM
You must have something good near you, they probably didn't come from too far. 
It would be great if they were feral and not from another beek's hives, that would be some good genetics to have in your yard.
Congrats on the new colony!
Title: Re: swarm caught today
Post by: luvin honey on March 14, 2010, 12:49:40 AM
Quote from: Natalie on March 14, 2010, 12:29:25 AM
You must have something good near you, they probably didn't come from too far. 
It would be great if they were feral and not from another beek's hives, that would be some good genetics to have in your yard.
Congrats on the new colony!
That would be my all-time beekeeping fantasy. Well, that plus the bees making me about 500 lb of beautiful honeycomb :D
Title: Re: swarm caught today
Post by: JP on March 14, 2010, 06:54:17 AM
Quote from: schawee on March 13, 2010, 11:01:08 PM
NATALIE,IM SURE IT DIDN'T COME FROM MY HIVES OR  ANOTHER BEEKEEPER.IM SURE ITS a WILD SWARM.THIS YEAR I WILL TRY AND DO SOME BEE LINING .MYBE I WILL FIND THEIR OLD HOME......... :bee:

There's really no telling where they came from, but great catch! Bailey in Raceland had two swarm calls on Friday, but they left before he could get to them.

I'm still just seeing queen cups in my area, but I know its getting close. I have seen scouts at different locations checking things out.


...JP