Print Page - When to inspect newly homed swarm

Title: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 03:30:49 AM

After some advice - I'm still a first year bee keeper, and have just 're-homed' my first swarm into a new, single full-depth box.

Today is the 4th day since I put them in their new box, and I've realised I didn't place all the new frames in there after I placed the swarm in there. Currently only have 7 frames in there, rather than the full 10.

Should I just leave them alone for another week so that they settle in, or should I smoke them, open the lid, and gently place the remaining frames in there?

Thanks!

Andy

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: iddee on October 03, 2014, 05:02:40 AM

Replace the frames. They will hang wild comb before using frames every time.

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: sc-bee on October 03, 2014, 05:48:53 AM

Yep..... what he said. Do it before the mess gets bigger. Swarms are comb building machines..... they don't care if they put it where you want it :)

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 05:54:34 AM

Thanks for the replies - I'll head out there as the sun goes down and put the frames in there.

Cheers,

Andy

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 06:42:39 AM

All done. Impressive amount of comb drawn on new foundation, approx 3/4 of a frame drawn out in 4 days. No comb hanging from the lid or anywhere else it shouldn't have been.

Thanks for the advice.

Andy

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: derekm on October 03, 2014, 06:34:56 PM

Quote from: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 06:42:39 AM
All done. Impressive amount of comb drawn on new foundation, approx 3/4 of a frame drawn out in 4 days. No comb hanging from the lid or anywhere else it shouldn't have been.

Thanks for the advice.

Andy

you got lucky ... been there but without your luck

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: derekm on October 03, 2014, 06:37:56 PM

Quote from: derekm on October 03, 2014, 06:34:56 PM
Quote from: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 06:42:39 AM
All done. Impressive amount of comb drawn on new foundation, approx 3/4 of a frame drawn out in 4 days. No comb hanging from the lid or anywhere else it shouldn't have been.

Thanks for the advice.

Andy

you got lucky ... been there but without your luck
placed a swarm in an empty cardboard box overnight and by morning they had built a piece of comb 100mm by 75mm and had it laid up.

Title: Re: When to inspect newly homed swarm
Post by: BeeMaster2 on October 05, 2014, 07:40:00 AM

Quote from: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 05:54:34 AM
Thanks for the replies - I'll head out there as the sun goes down and put the frames in there.

Cheers,

Andy

Andy,
Why did you wait until the sun was going down?
That is one of the worst times to open your hive. The bees normally will bee the most defensive at that time. The best time is when you can see blue skies and the majority of the field bees are out flying.
Luckily, new swarms are not that defensive.
Good luck.
Jim

Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: AyeBee on October 03, 2014, 03:30:49 AM