I have a swarm just behind my hive in the top of a pine tree that has a huge poison ivy vine growing up it.Its about 40 feet up and I've got no way of getting to them. I set a nuc box up underneath them with some drawn comb and a frame feeder with sugar water, and put some sugar water out by the hive. Am I wasting my time, or is there something else that I can use to coax them in? Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks Shane.
PS. I can't cut the tree down either, because it would fall right on my hives.
Throw a rope over the branch they are on and jerk it.
Scott
Find and idiot and throw him up there and let him shake them off! roflmao!
I'm with Scott. Throw a rope over it and make sure you have a nuc setup right below where you think the swarm will land when it falls.
Jp has a few videos where he had a similar situation. I'll see if I can find it real quick.
James
Here ya go.
JP And Schawee Catch A Swarm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cDnCi3QsK0#ws)
If you have a bee vac and a couple of lengths of pvc pipe to put on the end of your suction hose, you might reach them also.
if you live far enough out of the city you could always shoot the limb off with a shot gun.
JP...
Next time have Schawee give you the glasses so
you can SEE the queen :shock:
:lau: :lau: :lau:
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Quote from: jmblakeney on April 14, 2012, 10:24:16 AM
Here ya go.
Thanks, I tried the rope and still came up short getting it over the limb.That was an entertaining youtube vid, not to mention educational.This is just one of those situations that I've exhausted all attempts of getting to them...I do have some scout bees from the swarm flying in and out of my nuc box though...just hoping they will take up residence there.
I thought of shooting the limb also but its about a 4 in. in diameter limb and would take several shots from a high powered rifle to get through the limb and I'm not keen on shooting a deer rifle up in the air.
Oh well...guess some just get away, this may be my first one.
Shot gun, not high power rifle. Four inch limb should take a couple of shots to bring down.
Rent a helicopter and pilot, hang out the cargo door and get them from above! :-D
How this the way to go IMHO.
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,33175.msg272500.html#msg272500 (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,33175.msg272500.html#msg272500)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Sometimes nature is giving you a very clear message. Let it go. (Or set up a swarm trap near the tree.)
Try putting a frame of honey and one of brood with nurse bees in a box under the tree with no lid and get a 5 gallon plastic bucket and a hive too and beat the bottom of the bucket like a drum....a little thing called tanging the bees down.
I put a hive with some old comb, some lemongrass essential oil and some QMP (either queen juice or "pseudo queen") in it. They almost always move in.
Quote from: Shane ear on April 14, 2012, 11:31:36 AM
Thanks, I tried the rope and still came up short getting it over the limb.<snip>
If you have a some fishing gear use the rod-n-reel with a chunk of lead on it. Throw the line over the limb (might take a few tries :) ). Be easy with it when it goes over and let the lead fall on to the ground. Tie your rope to the end of the line and then reel the line and rope back over the limb. A smaller, but strong cord will work better than a rope. Be sure your cord is long enough to drape over the limb and for both ends to reach the ground. I've used this method to put up wire antennas in the top of some tall trees for ham radio...it really baffles folks when I show them the antenna and they ask me how I got it up there...I just reply "I just climbed up there" and leave'em with a funny look on their faces. :-D
Like someone said above...it might be telling you to kiss this one good-bye,...but.... ;)
Best wishes,
Ed
Quote from: Michael Bush on April 14, 2012, 06:50:02 PM
I put a hive with some old comb, some lemongrass essential oil and some QMP (either queen juice or "pseudo queen") in it. They almost always move in.
Thanks. As usual the bees caught me unprepared again! I did put some hbh in the nuc but I did not have any pseudo queen, and I don't have a swarm trap...two things that are going on my to get list.
I only had a couple of hours to try and get them today because of important business that had to be taken care of, by the time I got home this evening they were gone and not in my nuc.This dang full time job I have that pays the bills sure does get in the way with my beekeeping. :lol: