It's just astonishing what bees can & will do in the spring. I caught a swarm about 10 days ago. I put it in an 8f deep. I had caught so many swarms this year (30) all I had to put in there was some comb I was going to melt for wax. I peeped in yesterday evening and they had completely drawn out an 8 frame deep and filled it with nectar. A month from now we'll be counting how many individual cells they're drawing out (because they'll be done slowed down so much).
A swarm of bees is primed to build comb. Especially if the bees have the resources of spring.Bees will do this very easily for the first 21 days. Need to keep a close eye on them . So the bees will not run out of space. This has been my experience.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
I had a similar situation 2 weeks ago. In 13 days, the swarm filled 8 empty frames They did not build on 2 old plasticell frames that I had placed in the trap) and then built 12" of comb below the frames and filled most of them with brood.
Jim
GSF. Maybe since we're close, you can tell me what this is that my bees have been working the you know what out of. Privet maybe?
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30 swarms already?! That's crazy! Are they from feral hives, or do you have commercial beeks nearby?
Matt,They're probably from the same plant but the first on I'd say is privet aka; hedge bushes or wild ligustrum(sp). The second one is probably too good of a picture. I'd have to say privet as well.
tjc1, I did a presentation at our beekeeping club last night. I told them now when I see a swarm it tick's me off :wink:
These are my bees. If there are any feral bees then they've just moved in or are second/third generation bees from my hives. I went into winter with 20 hives and came out of winter with 20. I combined one because the queen quit laying, sold 5 more and the swarms are from the remaining 14. I didn't miscount either. Not counting the queen castles I have 43 colonies in my yard. I'm fixing to sell, sell, sell.
yah 30 LOL....i have caught 10 and I thought i was doing good
But then again mine are all from feral hives ;-)