swarm question

JackM · April 07, 2014, 09:17:41 PM

Got a swarm call today, up in a Scotch Pine tree, just at the limit of my reach. Huge swarm, my guess is 4-5 pounds of bees.

Due to the inability to use 2 hands because the branches were pushing me away, I did the best I could a handful at a time. I got about 1/4 of them and let them settle again, finally getting probably 2/3-3/4 of the entire ball into a nuc. The nuc has some old comb. They were festooning in the nuc. They were fanning and orienting to the nuc, but I still had two small bunches go back to the tree, probably a cup full and then another pound or so both higher than I could reach. But the two balls in the tree did not seem to want to come together. Not sure if got the queen or not.

So, left the nuc on top of the ladder close to the tree with the small balls of bees and left it for morning. What are my chances I got the queen?

Any other suggestions?

buzzbee · April 07, 2014, 09:26:29 PM

50/50 Jack. Morning may tell the story. If the balls are in the tree and the bees in the box stayed, wait until the end of the day tomorrow and see what happens.

10framer · April 07, 2014, 10:03:13 PM

i'm thinking i'd check in the morning with a second (or at least a bigger) box. i don't think there's room in a nuc for 4 or 5 pounds of bees, it may not hold their interest.

iddee · April 07, 2014, 11:02:53 PM

I'm with 10framer. I doubt a swarm that size will stay in a nuc.
I would get there as early as possible with a larger hive and get them transferred. The two groups likely went to the nuc before dark tonight.

BeeMaster2 · April 07, 2014, 11:26:03 PM

Ditto that. Thats a lot of bees for a nuc. Bee there early.
Jim

sc-bee · April 07, 2014, 11:34:12 PM

Good chance you got her. In particular if you saw then fanning and marching into the hive. The balls return to the old phermone smell on the branches, If you got the queen they will finally catch on. You got four pounds to fit in a nuc :-D Yea more room.

Kathyp · April 08, 2014, 12:47:08 AM

never take only a nuc on a swarm call :-) especially early when the first swarms will be the biggest.

congrats on that catch though. i was wondering if they'd go today with the first warmth.

danno · April 08, 2014, 09:07:06 AM

buy or as I did build one of these.
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Hipps-Swarm-Retriever/productinfo/270/
It has the threaded bottom for a push broom or a paint roller handle. I have a 15 extendable paint handle that I can reach a swarm 25 ft off the ground. Lower swarms I carry a broom handle and eye level one I dont use any handle

JackM · April 08, 2014, 09:53:39 AM

Awesome, that would have been handy. Not sure if I have enough upper body strength to handle one, but I will make one. Seems like a 2 person tool to use effectively. Or, did you make a stand to hold it?

JackM · April 08, 2014, 09:58:46 AM

@ Kathy,
Yes, I expected this, not quite so large, but been expecting it as I know where the hive is, that it throws 2 swarms a year, one around now, one in July. Unfortunately it is 50 feet up in an oak tree on a golf course. Can't get any equipment in there to do a trap out as the ground is so soft even golf carts have to stay on the path right now.

Actually, the summer swarm I got from them last year was gangbusters when I first opened the hive up this spring and I added 3 boxes in hopes they would not swarm. No cells at that time, and I have just left them alone since. Ready for it if they do, and will use a deep for them.

Will take a deep this morning when I check on things and depending, use it or bring them home. Gotta run to get ready, it is much warmer than I had hoped for this morning, still 50 right now, but dropping

capt44 · April 08, 2014, 11:07:46 AM

I agree a Nuc isn't big enough.
I caught a swarm last year I had to have 2 deep boxes.
I also have a Hipps swarm removal bucket.
I've used it for the past 3 years and wouldn't take a Purdy for it.
I usually carry a Bee Vac, Hipps swarm removal bucket, 2 deep boxes for a 10 frame langstroth hive and sometimes I use a sugar syrup spray.
Good Luck!

danno · April 08, 2014, 02:18:42 PM

Quote from: JackM on April 08, 2014, 09:53:39 AM
Awesome, that would have been handy. Not sure if I have enough upper body strength to handle one, but I will make one. Seems like a 2 person tool to use effectively. Or, did you make a stand to hold it?

N
It's a one person tool. Its not heavy. The string holds the lid as you see it in the pic and runs down through the center of the bucket. When the string is pulled the lid flips on. You simple get under the swarm and give them a good jab. They fall into the bucket and you pull the string while lowering it to the ground. Most of the time I leave them in the bucket until I get the location I plan on leaving them. They stay cool for the ride home in the air conditioning of the truck

JackM · April 08, 2014, 02:22:46 PM

Okay, well they went back up the tree. I considered a vac, again at the limit of my reach and I really don't want to injure the bees, at the least they will go find a hive on their own. So as of now I have a deep on top of a ladder 1/4 open with comb, propolis, and some lemongrass oil enticing them. They are looking, but not moving yet, I have another emergency on a different note that I need to go handle and then will give that bucket a shot, I made all but the closing lid part.

JackM · April 09, 2014, 08:54:26 AM

I got back with the bucket and was setting up and the whole mob left in a matter of seconds. I followed them as far as I could, but they are gone. Oh well I have a bucket for next time. I learned, I had fun.

danno · April 09, 2014, 10:32:34 AM

last year I spotted a big swarm in a low bush in my back field at lunch time. I was mentoring a new guy so decided to leave it until he got off of work at 5:00 and show him how to hive one. When he showed up after work we drove out with the camera and equipment needed. I told him to get a pic of me with the swarm. At the click of the camera they started buzzing and it got louder and louder. I scrambled to get my jacket on but wasn't quick enough. We followed them across the 40 before giving up. Hope they found a nice warm tree that got them through the winter

10framer · April 09, 2014, 10:45:49 AM

seems to be going around.... i had a nice low one hanging in a small pine that was taking off ten minutes later when i got back with a hive. i used to keep a 10 frame deep in the truck ready to go in the spring. i guess i quit when the swarm calls quit coming like they used to.

tefer2 · April 09, 2014, 10:50:06 AM

In a pinch, I've duct taped a five gallon bucket to a sixteen foot 2x4.
Time is not on your side with a swarm of bees.
You need to get after them cause they could leave any minute.
I gave up trying to get the jacket on first.
That's when they usually bug out on me!

danno · April 09, 2014, 03:07:01 PM

The worst stinging I ever got was a swarm about 10ft off the ground. I always ask the home owner how long they have been there. If its been a couple of days they most likely will be aggresive. A dry swarm as they are know by. This home owner told me that he had not noticed they the day before but in my mind I questioned if he even remembered what he had for dinner the night before. I put on my jacket to be safe. I used my pole bucket that was alittle bit small for this one. When I jabbed them it rained mad bee's on me. No gloves I dont know how many stings I took in the hands. They got me a least a doz times through the jeans and completely blocked my view through the veil. I had to run to shake them off. Worst part was by the time I got back to the tree my bucket was empty and they were all back up in the tree. I took off the jacket, put on the full suit w/ gloves and started over.

Kathyp · April 09, 2014, 03:40:47 PM

the only real swarm call i got last year..that wasn't across the state somewhere...did the same to me. got there. got set up. went to shake them. they took off. should have been an easy one. they were only about 7 feet up.