Learning From Failure

Jahjude · May 01, 2010, 02:24:14 PM

2days ago,spent latter half of day in apiary making in depth checks/learning & taking logs on hives,got a call abt a swarm in the evening and left to go check it out-almost turned back bcuz it was almost 30feet high in a slender tree so climbing was a no no.
1st attempt(no veil,no gloves); joined two long poles together to break limb with the hope that they re-group on a lower limb.Well they ended up re-grouping on a higher limb,my friend who was with me said he got stabbed in his head by one of the lil ladies so he decided to stay far(kinda found it hard to blv since swarms are spose to be calm)
2nd & 3rd attempts still didnt work according to plan and they just kept going higher.
Got a ladder to gain some height and for some reason i decided to don my veil(lucky me :roll:),broke limb again and got 1st hit on hand from one of her majesty's helper and ofcourse that triggered a major attack :-\ Had to be carefully dismounting ladder leaving exposed hands to their mercy-I'm sure i got over 15 hits before hastily removing as much stings as i cud and getting hands in gloves(Well i was just happy i put veil on at right time :-D)
Made another attempt to shake them down and that drove them to highest point of tree
So decided to be like da fox who cudnt get grape and left!

On the job now with a pair of huge hands,and having nightmares abt that failed attempt :?
Wud've been 1st swarm i caught on my own so guess i was a bit desperate....Now patiently awaiting my next opportunity :jerry:

Grandma_DOG · May 02, 2010, 05:32:53 PM

Quote from: Jahjude on May 01, 2010, 02:24:14 PM
2days ago,spent latter half of day in apiary making in depth checks/learning & taking logs on hives,got a call abt a swarm in the evening and left to go check it out-almost turned back bcuz it was almost 30feet high in a slender tree so climbing was a no no.
1st attempt(no veil,no gloves); joined two long poles together to break limb with the hope that they re-group on a lower limb.Well they ended up re-grouping on a higher limb,my friend who was with me said he got stabbed in his head by one of the lil ladies so he decided to stay far(kinda found it hard to blv since swarms are spose to be calm)
2nd & 3rd attempts still didnt work according to plan and they just kept going higher.
Got a ladder to gain some height and for some reason i decided to don my veil(lucky me :roll:),broke limb again and got 1st hit on hand from one of her majesty's helper and ofcourse that triggered a major attack :-\ Had to be carefully dismounting ladder leaving exposed hands to their mercy-I'm sure i got over 15 hits before hastily removing as much stings as i cud and getting hands in gloves(Well i was just happy i put veil on at right time :-D)
Made another attempt to shake them down and that drove them to highest point of tree
So decided to be like da fox who cudnt get grape and left!

On the job now with a pair of huge hands,and having nightmares abt that failed attempt :?
Wud've been 1st swarm i caught on my own so guess i was a bit desperate....Now patiently awaiting my next opportunity :jerry:

If you have time and patience. Don't even bother climbing the tree. Put a swarm trap on the ground with 3 drops of lemon grass oil in it. Leave it for a day or two. I'll give you 50% chance they will voluntarily occupy it.

Jahjude · May 02, 2010, 06:49:06 PM

Well I had neither at the time since i had to leave by next morn.Bcuz of my work schedule and other engagements i'm only able to visit the area once weekly or fortnightly

Michael Bush · May 04, 2010, 12:21:31 AM

I'd do the swarm trap thing. It beats falling off a ladder no matter how it turns out and I'd give it at least 50/50 or better odds.

RayMarler · May 04, 2010, 06:18:09 AM

I agree, swarm trap. If nothing else, set out a bee box of combs, foundation if that's all you've got. They'll smell the wax and come to investigate. I've heard others say that using lemon pledge furniture polish works as an attractant as well, but I've never tried that. Just a box of old combs and a squirt of honey across a top bar or two, attracts them quite well.

Jahjude · May 04, 2010, 07:10:36 AM

Will be setting up a few nucs soon,think i may try using for swarm traps-never tried my luck with that b4.....
If there's comb left in hives set out for swarm traps,wont they just be taken over by wax moth larvae??? :-\

iddee · May 05, 2010, 12:54:12 AM

Spray your comb with BT and the wax moths won't bother it.

http://www.beekeepingforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1834

Jahjude · May 05, 2010, 01:04:49 AM

Ok kool,will keep that in mind Iddee...thks

JP · May 05, 2010, 08:50:51 AM

Jahjude, swarms are typically gentle ladies but with this one y'all most likely riled them up with the stick poking. They may have even been a dry swarm or just bees from a mean hive.

I vote for the swarm trap as well but since these are so high up I would prefer to place the trap as high up as you comfortaby can, 8-10' is fine though.

Still they may find it either way, placing it higher up is just something I would do.

Be careful man, there will always be other swarms.

...JP