I had been away for a few days and it had rained here for 2 straight days. The sun and warmth were out today. Went to make a quick check on my 3 hives and there was a huge swarm on an Autumn Olive bush near my hives. I ran to the barn and got a shallow super with frames 2 in the center with foundation the rest frame less, a top and a bottom board. Cut the bees out of the bush, dropped them in front of the box on a blanket leading into the box. They started moving right in. I congratulated myself on being such a expert and went to lunch. Came back and the dumb ass bees left that nice box and went back to the cluster point on the bush-how dare they. So I picked up the box and put a swarm lure in it and moved it about 20 yards to a hive stand went back to the barn and got a big plastic box, cut the bees out of the bush again (the bush is looking smaller) dropped them in the plastic box, carried them to the shallow super and dropped them on the blanket in front (I actually made 3 trips). They started moving right in and bearding on the front. At dusk I went back and there was still a small knot of bees on the blanket, and a fist sized cluster back on the Autumn Olive but much to my surprise it looks like
they have moved in so I put another shallow on top and said goodnight. I will probably go out tomorrow about first light and if they are still there put in a frame of brood (what is wet brood?). Any further advice would be appreciated. This is my first time and it sure was exciting. Also, any suggestions on how to determine where they came from? I assume they were from one of my three hives because no other beekeepers are nearby. Sorry to be so long winded but this was exciting and educational for me so I thought I would share.
They sure are fun!!!
Every swarm I have caught I dumped directly into a deep hive body minus a few frames to start, depending on swarm size. That shallow doesn't offer much room, what they are looking for. The only reason I know of for the blanket being used in capturing a swarm, is so you can check out what didn't make it into the box (sometimes the queen needs catching) when the swarm was dropped into the box.
Wet brood I spose would be brood comb from a hive with lots of eggs, pupae, and larvae. That will give them added incentive to stick around.
Good luck with the new gang.
Joel
When a swarm will not stay, you will have to cage the queen up, with a hair clip queen catcher, a frame cage, roller cage, anything. Putting her on top of a queen excluder will work also. When she can not leave, the bee stay. But remember you will have to let her go also in a day or so.
Be sure to fill the boxes with frames. An empty box will become a wadded up mess of comb.
It started to rain this morning so I ran out to the hives. The knot left on the blanket and in the bush were still there. So I dumped them all into the 2 shallows. I was able to see that the bees that were already in the boxes had started building comb. I was afraid to open another a hive to get a frame of brood as it started pouring. So that will have to wait until the weather breaks. I hope the comb building means they are going to stay. I think if they do stay I am going to make this hive all shallow boxes.
If they are building comb they are going to stay. The rainy weather will keep them in the hive so they will set up house instead of looking for a different home. In a couple of days check to see if the bees are bringing in pollen. If they are bringing in pollen you got them settled in. Congrats on the swarm!!!
Thanks to all for your comments and advice. :) Boy there is a lot to learn, but it sure is fun!!! :)
Quote from: billabell on April 28, 2012, 12:36:55 PM
Thanks to all for your comments and advice. :) Boy there is a lot to learn, but it sure is fun!!! :)
An adventure a day it seems sometimes. :)
Since they are building comb they should stay put, but leave them alone for 2 or 3 days to really get settled in. Peeking at a swarm constantly can make them abscond.
The two little clusters you saw may be after swarms, if you have a couple extra boxes put each one in a separate box. You could always try to search out the queen. If they are an after swarm with a virgin queen you will have to look hard.
Give that new swarm some 1 to 1 syrup, that will help to anchor them and build comb.