Over the last two days, scouts have been checking out four of my swarm traps. Today, a swarm was in the process of moving into one of the horizontal tube traps! My question is, when do I take them home? If I go tomorrow to get them during the day, will they all be inside building comb, or will they have foragers out? Or, should I wait until dusk? Thanks!
Wait until dusk or you will loose the field bees.
Jim
Ya, move them at dark.
Okay. Thanks! :)
did you post some pictures of your tube trap?
Yes, I did. General Beekeeping thread, page 6. It is titled "pictures of tube swarm traps". I put the bees into a nuc early this afternoon. I caught the queen and caged her. I brought the nuc home tonight! :-D. Had three swarm calls. First one flew away as I stood there getting my stuff out of the van :'(. Second one flew before I got there, and the third one also flew before I got there!
I think that means you are out. :-D
Jim
thats actually better than losing swarm after swarm cuz they wont stay put. I say let them settle in before you go to shaking their world up. let them have some open brood..