help! I just witnesses my hive swarm!

catminy · April 13, 2010, 02:25:24 PM

They are gathering in a high branch of a pine tree. I wasn't expecting this I just added a med super last week and everything looked ok to me. Any suggestions on capturing them.

Kathyp · April 13, 2010, 02:41:48 PM

ladder.

put a swarm trap out. use old comb and maybe a little lemongrass oil if you have it. the old comb is usually enough. may or may not work, but they'll be looking for a new home so they may take to it.

AllenF · April 13, 2010, 06:56:41 PM

Just how high?

harvey · April 13, 2010, 10:51:33 PM

I would guess as high as you can and as close as you can to the swarm?

Kathyp · April 13, 2010, 10:54:48 PM

how high the swarm, or how high the trap?

i no more want to climb a tree after my trap than i want to climb after the swarm. i put mine wherever i can secure them well to a tree and about 4 ft off the ground if that works out. i know some who have put boxes on the ground and some who run them up high.

G3farms · April 14, 2010, 11:16:04 AM

I think what allen was asking is how high up in the tree is the swarm located.

AllenF · April 14, 2010, 05:45:25 PM

Yes, just how high in the tree was the swarm?

Ted n Ms · April 14, 2010, 11:26:43 PM

One time i had a swarm out of reach.I got a ladder and 10ft wooden strip that i wired an old dark brood comb and held it up to them. After a few minutes they started moving onto the comb. Soon the whole swarm moved to the comb on the stick. Before my arm gave out i got my son to climb up the other side and rest me. Once most were on i moved it little from the limb and they moved on over. I eased down and put the frame in a hive....and i still got'em. ;)

AllenF · April 14, 2010, 11:33:59 PM

Now that's a good idea.

Earlier today I took 2 sticks of pvc pipe taped to the end of the vac hose to suck up a swarm up high today. I was on top of my extension ladder with the swarm about 12 or 15 foot out from the trunk of the tree on a limb. With all my hose and pipe, I just about did not have enough suction to get them.

G3farms · April 15, 2010, 12:18:16 AM

Ted that was a great idea, sometimes we just have to use our head for more than a bee veil holder.
Allen that is a great idea also, might just have to try that one.

Have to use what ever is avaliabe at the time.

G3