Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: catfishbill on April 29, 2010, 11:40:57 AM

Title: swarming
Post by: catfishbill on April 29, 2010, 11:40:57 AM
while i was trying to catch one of my swarms yesterday,another one decided to go.but they came out and went 50-60 ft  up a sweetgum tree.what causes this.there is plenty of trees,bushes for them to get on around my hives.will they come down before they go or are they gone for good.thanks bill
Title: Re: swarming
Post by: gardeningfireman on April 29, 2010, 12:31:07 PM
try putting out a swarm trap with some lemongrass oil or drawn frames in it. Maybe it will entice them! Good luck!
Title: Re: swarming
Post by: Scadsobees on April 29, 2010, 01:29:50 PM
The few that I've had that have done that have said "buh-bye mr former beekeeper owner!"  :-x

You can try a swarm trap, or leave some empty hives with drawn comb laying around, with some lemongrass, but it is probably too late.

Rick
Title: Re: swarming
Post by: catfishbill on April 29, 2010, 02:02:00 PM
yep i think they are gone.i usually levae some bait hives around,but it never seems to work.i think they got the gettin outa here on their mind.thanks for the help.  bill
Title: Re: swarming
Post by: Michael Bush on April 30, 2010, 12:38:16 AM
I have taken to luring them down.  An unoccupied hive with some old comb, at least the volume of a ten frame deep (two eight frame mediums is my typical), a q-tip dipped in lemongrass oil on one end and "queen juice" on the other.  They usually move in.  If they don't, I didn't fall off a ladder.  :)
Title: Re: swarming
Post by: CVBees on April 30, 2010, 02:08:36 PM
You could try tanging them down?   :)    :cheer: