Where is the queen usually at in the swarm when it's hanging from a tree ?
She could be anywhere, especially if she's a virgin. But the first 1/3 near the top is a good place to start looking (grabbing).
...JP
I have read that the queen will usually be towards the bottom of the cluster and therefore, not having to support the weight of the other "hanger-ons". But at the end of the day, the queen goes where she goes!
Glad to see these answers. I always thought she was up on the main branch, that's why they would go back and recluster.
Seems to be my thought. :)doak
Quote from: D Coates on March 25, 2010, 05:07:52 PM
Glad to see these answers. I always thought she was up on the main branch, that's why they would go back and recluster.
If after the shake they go back up, you either didn't shake her down or she's a virgin that flew back up.
Another tell tale sign you have a virgin IMO is the swarm has an abundance of drones.
...JP
My understanding is that they recluster because of the queen scent that has adhered to the branch. This is why if I am in a hurry I will bring my smoker to smoke the scent off of the branches after I have knocked the swarm into a box.
they leave a sent-but it is not queen sent -it is there locator sent-(which is also mimicked by lemon grass oil or swarm lure)
:) RDY-B