Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: SteveSC on March 09, 2007, 10:05:12 PM

Title: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: SteveSC on March 09, 2007, 10:05:12 PM
It seems early for swarms in this area.  I went to check on the hives today and one of my single brood box hives had swarmed.  Just 4 days ago I put a super on that hive because of the # of bees in it.  I'd been feeding the hives 2:1 syrup for about a month and had started adding protein patties 2 weeks ago.  The populations just seem to explode in all the hives after the patties were added.  It might have been just coincidental on the population growth and adding the protein patties but I think it had something to do with it.....

This swarm was in a cedar tree 10' from the hive it had just left and 8' off the ground.  I was by myself so I didn't get the picture I wanted ( holding the swarm to show size ). It was a pretty good size swarm.  I got there right as the swarm was settling in on the cedar tree.  I cut away what limbs I could  - slide a bucket over the swarm - cut the last limb then laid the limb on the brood box which I had put 2 frames of last yrs. honey in.  I let it sit until about dark - closed it up and moved it to another location.  I put a protein patty in the new hive and I'm feeding it 2:1 syrup thru the top cover using an upside down mason jar.

Here's some pictures:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jcwatts/Bees2-22-07003.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jcwatts/Bees2-22-07002.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jcwatts/Bees2-22-07006.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jcwatts/Bees2-22-07005.jpg
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: imabkpr on March 09, 2007, 10:25:33 PM
steveSC
Nice swarm. I was out moving bees today, I haven't seen any drones.  I hope your new queen is well mated. keep an eye on her and check to see if she is a drone layer.  Charlie
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: lively Bee's on March 09, 2007, 10:29:52 PM
Very nice
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Kathyp on March 10, 2007, 01:14:38 AM
that's really cool.  free bees are good....even if you are re-catching your own  :-)
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Understudy on March 10, 2007, 01:17:56 AM
Excellent. How come I only get cut out? I want swarms. They are so much easier.


Sincerley,
Brendhan
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Apis629 on March 10, 2007, 01:24:15 AM
Yes, they are; more manageable bees means fewer stings.  Anyways, well done.  Looks like a textbook swarm capture and, this early in the season, it should make a good crop of honey, provided the weather and blooms coorperate.
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: pdmattox on March 10, 2007, 08:59:55 AM
Very nice catch.  I think swarm season has opened.
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: BEEMAN on March 21, 2007, 05:08:19 PM
BEEMAN'S 2 CENTS

SteveSC

I agree with you that the swarms are flying early this year. During the week of March 5-9, 2007 I had five swarm calls and caught all five swarms. The following week I was in the hospital with my wife, she had knee replacement, and missed three more swarm calls. This week I had two swarm calls and caught both swarms. I checked one of my swarm boxes and found another swarm had check in to it. I need to transfer them to a hive. I live in
Franklin, Louisiana, and the swarms are a buzzing down here.
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: papabear on March 21, 2007, 05:30:03 PM
Good job. I'm ready for one to catch for myself.
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Fannbee on March 21, 2007, 10:59:07 PM
Just caught my first swarm. However, it was from one of my hives.  I went out to look at one of my hives after work and saw the swarm 2 feet off the ground in a bush.   It was within 10 feet of my three hives.

My wife place a command that I have only four hives.  I have three and have an order for a nuc.  Darn it, I quess I will have five now.   
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Cindi on March 22, 2007, 12:27:05 AM
Steve, awesome, the pics were very good and I love to see that stuff.  Awesome day.  Cindi
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Big Sky Honey on March 23, 2007, 01:40:31 AM
Thanks for sharing the nice photos.  Great way to get bees.
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Michael Bush on March 24, 2007, 12:52:55 PM
>Darn it, I quess I will have five now.   

Wait few weeks and do a combine.
Title: Re: Here's an early swarm I caught today......
Post by: Kathyp on March 24, 2007, 03:03:43 PM
or just wait and see if she notices.  i bought a new horse once and it was a week before my husband noticed.  i still don't think he's noticed that i got a new saddle 3 years ago, even though he's been riding in my old one. 

he did notice the new camper...... :-\