4 people in as many weeks have called my friend with a swarm on their house or tree. If I take them is there still time for them to live through the winter? I can build more hives, but will they live? Is there a way to feed them?
Woody,
That depends on how much extra comb honey that you have in your apiary. You might want to combine a few swarms together. Do not add honey frames right away, let them get established. If you have drawn comb, I would give them as many frames as they can cover and a few empty frames for them to build wax on. I did this for a very large swarm and they filled 2-10 medium frames in about a month and then made a full super of honey the next month.
Jim
Woody where are you? The finger lakes region is a pretty big swath of the state. My sister lives on Senaca in Geneva. Where I am there is still a good golden rod flow. They might make it especially if you can help them out.
If I take them is there still time for them to live through the winter?
I would, what have you got to loose? They gonna live or die somewhere. Make sure you feed them. They might be population control swarms. Good luck and keep us posted.
Okay I give up, I can't get the italics off. Some things aren't meant to be understood. :rolleyes:
I'm a new beek, i thought bees swarm, in the spring
They are probably not true swarms but bees that absconded like mine. I would get them If I were you. They have better chance with you then in the wild. Good luck