If bees are surviving out there what are "we" doing wrong.
Just had a swarm come in and take an empty box. I'm just going to add hive bettle traps and ride. :)don2
Hope they do well for you. I'm in Michigan and lost all my southern hives the first winter, but these feral hives did great. By swapping brood, combining and letting them supercede last summer, I've noticed a lot more of the smaller bees (like the ones from the feral swarms I hived) are kinda taking over. Maybe I'll be able to come up with some real survivors. I love this!! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do....Julie~
That swarm could be from one of your hives that swarmed last year. I think with the beetles, you need to close the hive up to where only 2 bees can get in or out the door. That way beetles just can't get in the hive.
With a opening that small with a swarm that large I don't think that wood be quite large enough.
It if is from one of my swarms this would be the second year, I didn't have any swarms last year. :)don2