new from Oklahoma

[shepardsgate]

Hello,

I've been attempting to keep bees for several years now, caught a swarm, did fine, then lost it last winter right after attempting to split the hive and had my hopes built up.  Last week we were blessed to Catch another swarm (we've a happy bee tree colony right next to our house as the previous owners had also attempted keeping bees and one of their swarms took up residence in the tree about 4 or 5 years ago.

This morning I went on my first attempt to catch a swarm from the 2nd story eaves of a home.  I'm hooked.  So much to learn, but these bees are simply amazing.  I made two failed attempts, left the nuc box with sugarwater feeder and reduced entrance on the roof about 1 foot from the bees and came home and called my mentor again.  I'll go back in a couple days, hopefully with some comb with brood from my first swarm catch to bait this swarm 2 stories up.   My water bottle I was attempting to spritz the bees with sugar water with was too fine of a mist and while I thought I was coating them, when I tried to move them into my bucket, the majority just took flight.   They are attempting to build comb along almost 4 foot of the eaves so are all spread out.  They settled back to work as if I hadn't even just put some of them in a box and the boxed bees seemed to just crawl right back to where they were before I moved them.  Will also take a better spray bottle when I go back.

Is there anything wrong with using lemon essential oil for spritzing/oiling down a nuc box?   I've found references for lemon balm and lemon grass, but nothing on lemon oil used as a swarm lure/queen scent mask?

Carrie in NE OK

[Kathyp]

i have had great luck with the lemongrass and also lavender.  one drop in a bottle of sugar water is enough. 

if they are building comb, they probably won't move.  you'll need to take them out along with the comb.  read through the removal section for ideas and ask any questions you have in the general section or removal.  more people will read in those area.

welcome.

[ghdfans2010]

Hello,

I've been attempting to keep bees for several years now, caught a swarm, did fine, then lost it last winter right after attempting to split the hive and had my hopes built up.  Last week we were blessed to Catch another swarm (we've a happy bee tree colony right next to our house as the previous owners had also attempted keeping bees and one of their swarms took up residence in the tree about 4 or 5 years ago.

This morning I went on my first attempt to catch a swarm from the 2nd story eaves of a home.  I'm hooked.  So much to learn, but these bees are simply amazing.  I made two failed attempts, left the nuc box with sugarwater feeder and reduced entrance on the roof about 1 foot from the bees and came home and called my mentor again.  I'll go back in a couple days, hopefully with some comb with brood from my first swarm catch to bait this swarm 2 stories up.   My water bottle I was attempting to spritz the bees with sugar water with was too fine of a mist and while I thought I was coating them, when I tried to move them into my bucket, the majority just took flight.   They are attempting to build comb along almost 4 foot of the eaves so are all spread out.  They settled back to work as if I hadn't even just put some of them in a box and the boxed bees seemed to just crawl right back to where they were before I moved them.  Will also take a better spray bottle when I go back.

Is there anything wrong with using lemon essential oil for spritzing/oiling down a nuc box?   I've found references for lemon balm and lemon grass, but nothing on lemon oil used as a swarm lure/queen scent mask?

Carrie in NE OK

Thanks for the kind welcome. 

[weBEE Jammin]

Hello Carrie, this is Bob that talked to you on the phone about the swarm in the tree about 30' high. How is your nuc catch box doing? Have you caught any more swarms. I live in Claremore also, if you want give me a call, I'd be glad to show you & your husband my bee yards. Welcome to BeeMaster.