As I had figured, my KTBH was waiting for a nice day to swarm, and today was that day (first day in 2 weeks since last sun sighting) I went out this evening to feed the deer and do my evening check on the bees, and there it was, 4 feet up in a multiflora rose bush (nasty things) But how lucky was I, couldn't be an easier catch. It was about basketball size. I ran and got the 5 frame nuc I had set out to try and catch the swarm (naturally, they didn't go there lol) Cliped some branches that were in the way, put nuc under the swarm and gave a shake. Just like in the videos, the bees that missed the box marched right in. It was almost like I knew what I was doing. So now comes the questions:
1. Should I go out early tomorrow and close them in for a day or two? Plus, I want to move them about 10 feet.
2. Is the 5 frame nuc to small for a basketball size swarm? I have a 10 frame deep available I can put them into. I'm pretty sure I should put them in the 10 frame, but how soon? Weather predictions, as they have been all spring, is 5 more days of clouds and rain.
3. This swarm only went 35 feet away from original hive, I want to set this hive up about 15 feet from original hive. Is that too close?
Quote from: gunner7888 on May 05, 2011, 09:42:24 PM
As I had figured, my KTBH was waiting for a nice day to swarm, and today was that day (first day in 2 weeks since last sun sighting) I went out this evening to feed the deer and do my evening check on the bees, and there it was, 4 feet up in a multiflora rose bush (nasty things) But how lucky was I, couldn't be an easier catch. It was about basketball size. I ran and got the 5 frame nuc I had set out to try and catch the swarm (naturally, they didn't go there lol) Cliped some branches that were in the way, put nuc under the swarm and gave a shake. Just like in the videos, the bees that missed the box marched right in. It was almost like I knew what I was doing. So now comes the questions:
1. Should I go out early tomorrow and close them in for a day or two? Plus, I want to move them about 10 feet.
2. Is the 5 frame nuc to small for a basketball size swarm? I have a 10 frame deep available I can put them into. I'm pretty sure I should put them in the 10 frame, but how soon? Weather predictions, as they have been all spring, is 5 more days of clouds and rain.
3. This swarm only went 35 feet away from original hive, I want to set this hive up about 15 feet from original hive. Is that too close?
Congrats
1. No shouldn't have to
2. I would. Just move it after dusk put some grass in the entrance just for good measure.
3. No not to close you would be fine to set it next door if you like