Has anyone experienced diseases or pests being brought into their hives by capturing and introducing a swarm into your apiary?
pests of coarse
disease no
Almost all of my hives were from removals or swarms 2 years ago. They do very well. The one remaining bought hive did have, not make it. I don't think it was from contamination from the other hives.
Jim
If I can get bees from a tree or an old house, I'll take them anytime over bought bees.
I call them survivor bees.
I bring them in to this bee yard here at the house and put them in a hive.
I watch them for a few days checking them every once in awhile.
Once I see they are okay I move them to another bee yard.
I put swarms and cutouts away from my production hives for that season.
When they survive winter and show no major disease, they get added to the mix.
Most hive diseases such as foul brood are in contaminated comb. there is a small chance of bringing disease infections with a swarm with their stomachs full of honey,but it is minimal.
This is one slight advantage of a package over a nuc, you are not bringing someone elses problems home with you.
I dont quarantine at all. My bee's are all on 4 way pallets. When I find one dead the boxes are removed. Swarms fill in theses empty spots. If I dont have a place to put them they are brought back to my farm untill needed.
>Has anyone experienced diseases or pests being brought into their hives by capturing and introducing a swarm into your apiary?
No. Never.
disease no.
pest yes. I have seen SHB in swarms for sure.
Same here.
Jim