Got a call Friday evening about a large swarm that originated from this weekends coming up cutout. The swarm was about 5' long tear drop shaped in a maple tree anout 15' up. Started clearing branches and setting up and they took off and landed on the homowners wood shake roof. I wasn't sure how to collect them, as about half the bees were in the air and they were spread out in about a 4' x 4' circle acouple of inches deep on the steep slop of the roof. I noticed that they were gradually moving lower on the roof so I set up two mediums baited with lemon grass and they sorta moved in.
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/DSemple/Bees%202011/Ben%20and%20Kathleen%20D%20-%20upcoming%20removal/IMG_5431.jpg)
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/DSemple/Bees%202011/Ben%20and%20Kathleen%20D%20-%20upcoming%20removal/IMG_5435.jpg)
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/DSemple/Bees%202011/Ben%20and%20Kathleen%20D%20-%20upcoming%20removal/IMG_5430.jpg)
Only problem was when I went back to get them I found that they couldn't all fit in the two boxes.
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/DSemple/Bees%202011/Ben%20and%20Kathleen%20D%20-%20upcoming%20removal/IMG_5437.jpg)
Had two add a third box Saturday (thank you Michael), and put up an umbrella (cajun trick) to give the box some shade as it was blazing hot in the sun.
Did the trick. ...Don
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/DSemple/Bees%202011/Ben%20and%20Kathleen%20D%20-%20upcoming%20removal/e8ca9de1.jpg)
I'll check this when I get home from work. The umbrella part caught my eye!! :)
You need a Brushkill bee vac.
Steve
Wow, that's a good swarm there! Cool to see them just move in.
Now it'll make your cutout easier because at least half of the bees are out. :-D
Good job! The cut out most likely has a new virgin (or will soon) be careful not to destroy the queen cells!
Scott
Quote from: hardwood on May 09, 2011, 02:46:03 PM
Good job! The cut out most likely has a new virgin (or will soon) be careful not to destroy the queen cells!
Scott
Your right I'm half thru and I've found about a dozen swarms cells. There already in frames and put up gently.
Very productive big colony, tons of honey and brood, but they are a bit pissy.
Thanks Scott
Don
I find the term "pissy" in my hive notes sometimes. I think JP really got that started as a Bee adjective.
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = ?
...JP
That was very cool how they just went into the super by themselves. What an unbelievable swarm!! Enjoyed how you put the umbrella up there for them, JP would approve that.
Happy for you.
Annette
Quote from: JP on May 09, 2011, 09:36:21 PM
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = ?
...JP
I'm a rookie remember, I don't know what I don't know.
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = Productive Hive?
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = make splits?
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = ????
Pretend I'm schawee for a moment and explain it so he would understand. :-D
Quote from: D Semple on May 10, 2011, 03:00:33 PM
Quote from: JP on May 09, 2011, 09:36:21 PM
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = ?
...JP
I'm a rookie remember, I don't know what I don't know.
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = Productive Hive?
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = make splits?
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = ????
Pretend I'm schawee for a moment and explain it so he would understand. :-D
Bingo!
I would make up several Nucs.
...JP
Quote from: D Semple on May 10, 2011, 03:00:33 PM
Quote from: JP on May 09, 2011, 09:36:21 PM
Lots of queen cells, a good sized swarm = ?
...JP
Pretend I'm schawee for a moment and explain it so he would understand. :-D
I know that was made in jest, but lets remember that schawee is a very knowledgeable beek himself. I would put him in my top 5 of people to ask questions of on this forum.
Heck, Schawee is teaching me things now, don't need to explain anything to him.
...JP
Quote from: JP on May 10, 2011, 04:18:41 PM
Heck, Schawee is teaching me things now, don't need to explain anything to him.
...JP
I'm about schawee's biggest fan, and I just was trying to maybe provide some video dialogue fodder. :-D
If nothin' else he can teach you how to loose weight ;)
Scott
Scott, I don't think Schawee's got a secret recipe for losing weight, its just that Burger Delight closed down! :-D
...JP
Cool pics. Pun intended. Be careful that you don't spoil them with the umbrella. They will be sitting on the porch waiting for you to bring iced nectar in cocktail glasses before you know it.