Hello - aspiring beekeeper from SC, USA.
We had a swarm move into a trap on Palm Sunday (4 weeks ago). The trap is (2) 12" peat pots about 12' high. For the first week they welcomed feeding, I skipped a week and when I restarted they didn't seem as enthused - ended up drawing more ants than bees!
The last week I had noticed bees 'sleeping on the outside (bearding?) and fear they may be out-growing the trap. To this end I have been slowly moving trap toward hive but now at a point where I need advice!
My plan is to build a hive around the trap, introducing a super above. The hope here is that the bees will expand into the super and once I see brood I know the queen is out of the trap and I can move the trap's comb to frames.
My questions are many! First is this a valid approach? If so, where/how would I 'open' the trap such that they can 'discover' their new abode?
Any advise is greatly appreciated!
- JR -
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They will not transverse a space above the trap to use the super. They will fill the area around the trap with comb. It is best to cut and band the comb now.
Thank you.
Curious - why they traverse in a hive and not trap w/end cut out?
How would you open the trap so to minimize damage? When I cut the comb free I use rubber bands to secure in a foundation-less frame?
TY
They will not work two areas and leave an open space between. They want a continuous comb system. If the frames in the super are touching their comb, they will continue building in the super. If not, they will fill the empty space first.
TO OPEN:
The comb should be unattached on the bottom. Keep it upright and remove the bottom and one side. Begin removing the combs from that side and rubber banding them in place. Shake excess bees into box when done.
You made a lot of work by not using a swarm box with frames. I am sure you know that. Don't worry about the honey comb just the brood and bees. The comb will be every direction so concentrate on saving the straight comb With brood. I like a serrated knife. Save as much pollen as you can because you can give to bees safely. Harvest the honey because you don't want it dripping in hive. It will be fun. Film it for us or give update.
JR,
I have the same trap as you have only because it came with the equipment from an Apiary that I bought out. I saw scouts checking it out yesterday.
I plan on leaving them in it and doing a cutout during next years BeeFest.
As Iddee said, cut it from the sides and bottom to leave the comb hanging. Smoke them 10 minutes and then 30 seconds before you start.
Jim Altmiller
JR,
I like your block-and-tackle hoist to get the trap up high. Was the USB cable on the swarm trap just a convenient "rope"? Or did you monitor the trap with a mini-cam?
Thanks all - some great advice. Unless I hear otherwise can I assume rubber bands in frames is best practice?
IYHOs how 'urgent' is this?
Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 07, 2019, 10:33:42 AM
JR,
I have the same trap as you have only because it came with the equipment from an Apiary that I bought out. I saw scouts checking it out yesterday.
I plan on leaving them in it and doing a cutout during next years BeeFest.
As Iddee said, cut it from the sides and bottom to leave the comb hanging. Smoke them 10 minutes and then 30 seconds before you start.
Jim Altmiller
IMHO something about cardboard & bees seems 'right' for nesting. IDK...
So you are going to leave the hive alone until next year?
Quote from: ed/La. on May 07, 2019, 12:10:46 AM
You made a lot of work by not using a swarm box with frames. I am sure you know that. Don't worry about the honey comb just the brood and bees. The comb will be every direction so concentrate on saving the straight comb With brood. I like a serrated knife. Save as much pollen as you can because you can give to bees safely. Harvest the honey because you don't want it dripping in hive. It will be fun. Film it for us or give update.
Thank you or the insights! Once I have the comb I use rubber bands & frame correct? How urgent is this IYHO?
FWIW I do have a hive trap w/frames but this is where they swarmed to. The 'carrier stick' was suppose to be a frame but never got there...
Quote from: FloridaGardener on May 07, 2019, 01:39:31 PM
JR,
I like your block-and-tackle hoist to get the trap up high. Was the USB cable on the swarm trap just a convenient "rope"? Or did you monitor the trap with a mini-cam?
Thanks! LOL Yea the block/tackle was an afterthought! GR8 catch on the cable - it's an RJ-45! Was the first thing I found strong & long enough! Initially this was used how the bungee is now but over a branch. FWIW the big blob is expanding polyurethane (GR8 Stuff) to keep the trap from rocking in winds.
Quote from: FloridaGardener on May 07, 2019, 01:39:31 PM
....Or did you monitor the trap with a mini-cam?
Funny you mention that. Beekeeping seems so right for IoT? For instance I find an apdictor could be useful & easily integrated..
https://web.archive.org/web/20050717233655/http://www.beesource.com/plans/apidictor.htm
I found another video where the author bought a $5 microphone from Office Depot and plugged it into his iPhone to do the same thing. He was able to use the open hand hive smack to see if they were not ready to swarm.
https://www.instructables.com/id/iphone-apidictor-for-acoustal-beehive-swarm-detect/
Jim Altmiller
Awesomely cool. Wish I was savvy enough to set it up on my phone.
James Moore's app page notes some how-to, but it's a discontinued project, and beyond me. Calling all beek-programmers!
Thank you or the insights! Once I have the comb I use rubber bands & frame correct? How urgent is this IYHO? I would pick a nice day and do it. It should be relatively easy. If you see the queen you could cage her for safe keeping have the rubber bands on the frames so you just slide them into place. I like BBQ wood skewers stapled to frames to hold comb in. Once you are set up it should take less than an hour. Perhaps a half hour. May as well do it so they have room to expand . If any bees get honey soaked dump then on a board or something and spray /mist with a little water.
JR,
Yes I will leave it for BeeFest.
Ed,
An experienced Beek might do the cutout in an hour but being his first time it will probably take a lot longer.
I would use a little sugar in the spray bottle and give the bees a light spray while you are doing the cutout to keep the bees calm and you will get more bees in the new box to get them oriented.
JR,
Expec the bees to continue to return to the old location, a12 feet up, and then do an s pattern down to the new location. Pretty neat to watch as bee after bee does the same until they die.
Jim Altmiller
Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 07, 2019, 08:55:57 PM
I found another video where the author bought a $5 microphone from Office Depot and plugged it into his iPhone to do the same thing. He was able to use the open hand hive smack to see if they were not ready to swarm.
https://www.instructables.com/id/iphone-apidictor-for-acoustal-beehive-swarm-detect/
Jim Altmiller
Quote from: FloridaGardener on May 08, 2019, 01:16:13 AM
Awesomely cool. Calling all beek-programmers!
Nice find Ed! Interesting mad bees make different sounds when swarming?! The gent also built a bee activity counter as well!
https://www.instructables.com/id/Honey-Bee-Counter-II/
Seems all the more case for 24/7 monitoring via IoT - IMHO viable but IYHO desirable? Seems DIY <$100 doable for a LoRa mesh w/temp/humidity/audio/video/counter plus?
I have a new question regarding my swarm trap. A swarm moved in ~ 1 week ago. It is a LARGE swarm. A LOT of them are bearding on the front of the trap. (If I can upload the photo I will - it was taken at 7:45pm.) What's the best way to get most of the bees? I don't want to bee vac if I don't have to. We are going tonight to get it.
I'm no expert - but it would seem that if you were to replace the swarm trap with a bigger box for a few days, they would have room to settle inside better, before moving them.
With that said, I don't know what your trap setup is ... frames inside? Or Empty space? ... A closed box? Or more like a Nuc (which would make things easier)? ... without knowing more about your equipment, it's hard to say.
I agree with Coolbees, give them a bigger home.
Jim Altmiller