Bees refusing to leave a swarm trap

KeyLargoBees · June 19, 2016, 08:31:14 PM

I moved a large swarm from a trap into a deep today.... And just now three hours later came back to get rid of the trap and put it away thinking all stragglers would have made their way to the box .... There were like 10 bees left in the trap huddled in a corner and as I shook them out 5 small hive beetles came pouring out of a crack in the bottom of the trap the bees were guarding so I got to play whack a beetle and killed them all but it was interesting to see the hive beetles corralled by the bees in the trap and the bees refusing to follow the queen to the new box and let them loose... Something new every day.https://youtu.be/3bRbTshonpA

jtcmedic · June 19, 2016, 08:55:10 PM

Wow

BeeMaster2 · June 19, 2016, 09:42:37 PM

Jeff,
Do you see any comb in that hive?

Did anyone ever tell you you sound just like Forest Gump

Jim

mtnb · June 20, 2016, 12:07:40 PM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on June 19, 2016, 09:42:37 PM
Did anyone ever tell you you sound just like Forest Gump
Jim

LOL! You SO DO Jeff! lol That's cool about the beetles.

I have had no activity on my traps at all. I'm gonna move them when I'm off tomorrow.

Hops Brewster · June 20, 2016, 02:32:27 PM

Quote from: MT Bee Girl on June 20, 2016, 12:07:40 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on June 19, 2016, 09:42:37 PM
Did anyone ever tell you you sound just like Forest Gump
Jim

LOL! You SO DO Jeff! lol That's cool about the beetles.

I have had no activity on my traps at all. I'm gonna move them when I'm off tomorrow.

Right after you move them, a swarm will arrive at that location.

KeyLargoBees · June 20, 2016, 05:57:31 PM

Jim I am not sure whether to take that as a compliment of not ;-)
And yes Jim its a full on colony not just a swarm.....the video was shot close to dusk where all the foragers were back...I was up there mid day yesterday on a removal estimate call and stopped by to ogle it and without foragers there was plenty of comb visible...was in a hurry and didn't get additional photos

Totally didn't mean to link that video into this post....seriously not sure how it got there.

Yvonne I have three removals lined up...One will be super fun....bees moved into stacked cinder blocks under a tarp.....teeny little combs in the void spaces of the blocks. Come on down to the Keys you can help and then truck the bees back to the great white north ;-)

mtnb · June 21, 2016, 11:49:22 AM

Quote from: Hops Brewster on June 20, 2016, 02:32:27 PM
Right after you move them, a swarm will arrive at that location.

Lol yeah I'm figuring as much. Lol

Quote from: KeyLargoBees on June 20, 2016, 05:57:31 PM

Yvonne I have three removals lined up...One will be super fun....bees moved into stacked cinder blocks under a tarp.....teeny little combs in the void spaces of the blocks. Come on down to the Keys you can help and then truck the bees back to the great white north ;-)

Jeff, I'm on my way! lol

KeyLargoBees · June 21, 2016, 12:16:15 PM

I can even provide oceanfront accommodations if you hurry before the unit sells ;-)

Blacksheep · June 21, 2016, 12:26:24 PM

The bees arrest the beetles and hold them in place but sometimes the beetles will entice the bees to feed them bu stroking their tentacles.Mother nature at work for sure!

BeeMaster2 · June 21, 2016, 12:44:25 PM

"Jim I am not sure whether to take that as a compliment of not ;-)"
Jeff,
Just stating the facts, just the facts.

Jim

BeeMaster2 · June 21, 2016, 12:46:36 PM

Quote from: Blacksheep on June 21, 2016, 12:26:24 PM
The bees arrest the beetles and hold them in place but sometimes the beetles will entice the bees to feed them bu stroking their tentacles.Mother nature at work for sure!

If the bees did not feed the beetles with the bees locking them in the crevices, the beetles would die.
Jim

Blacksheep · June 21, 2016, 02:38:41 PM

I have read that the bees do that but I have never seen them do so!That colony on the tree looks huge!

Jim134 · June 21, 2016, 02:58:17 PM

Quote from: KeyLargoBees on June 19, 2016, 08:31:14 PM
I moved a large swarm from a trap into a deep today.... And just now three hours later came back to get rid of the trap and put it away thinking all stragglers would have made their way to the box .... There were like 10 bees left in the trap huddled in a corner and as I shook them out 5 small hive beetles came pouring out of a crack in the bottom of the trap the bees were guarding so I got to play whack a beetle and killed them all but it was interesting to see the hive beetles corralled by the bees in the trap and the bees refusing to follow the queen to the new box and let them loose... Something new every day.https://youtu.be/3bRbTshonpA

You need to come to Northern New England. To see the middle of no where. I did enjoy your video. If I can see light poles hear car on the highway. and see a paved Road I'm pretty much in heavy population.. I do know that Northern and maybe Central Florida does have places like this. Have a great day. It's just a matter of perception and I realize that.

Thanks again for the great video .

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)