I have a swarm... Now what?

Bob Wilson · March 08, 2020, 05:06:57 PM

I didn't make room in my hive soon enough, and got some queen cells. I knew it was going to swarm, even though I split it into two boxes. The original box swarmed today. They were very obliging and swarmed right when I came home from church, and on a low limb 30 feet from the original hive. This is what I did...
1. Put a swarm box (two deep equivilant) with a cracked open lid under them, touching the swarm.
2. There is lemon grass oil on a paper towel in a ziplock baggie inside from a week ago.
3. There are 5 deep frames at the top of the box.
4. I stole a frame of comb from the original colony they just left, and put it as the center frame inside the swarm box.
I thought with the lure, they would have already gone in.
Maybe I need to remove the swarm box and put it back over on the old oak tree, 70 feet away, and let them find it themselves.
Maybe they smell the comb and think, "we just left his place".
Advice?

Bob Wilson · March 08, 2020, 05:09:01 PM

Sorry. It is a little over one deep super equivilant.

Kwalt · March 08, 2020, 05:22:06 PM

Manually put it in your box. Shake, scrape scoop it in. If the queen is in the box they?ll more than likely set up shop. Put it in one of your new hives. You could even add a frame of brood.

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Acebird · March 08, 2020, 06:32:58 PM

Yes, definitely knock them in a permanent box and hope the queen is in with them.

FatherMichael · March 08, 2020, 06:39:10 PM

Congratulations!

I could be looking at that situation tomorrow.

This was my hive last evening when it was windy and cool. I know they want to swarm and I'm ready.

But they will have to make their own choice. I'm too old to climb and shake and monkey about in trees! LOL

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iddee · March 08, 2020, 07:09:45 PM

I am 74, nearly 75. I still climb and shake and monkey about in trees. How old do you need to be to be too old to shake a swarm?

FatherMichael · March 08, 2020, 07:26:15 PM

Quote from: iddee on March 08, 2020, 07:09:45 PM
I am 74, nearly 75. I still climb and shake and monkey about in trees. How old do you need to be to be too old to shake a swarm?

Let's see, $250 for a nuc vs. $2500 for ER, physical therapy, and the beating I'd get from my wife. ;-)

iddee · March 08, 2020, 08:41:39 PM

Different strokes for different folks.

Only you know what's best for you.

Bob Wilson · March 08, 2020, 09:20:43 PM

I put a box under them, and brushed the entire mass into it. And STILL missed the queen. They mobbed under the box and when I moved the box to try again, the mass fell down into the leaves and pinestraw. That's where they are, and now it is night. I lost them, unless they mob again tomorrow.

iddee · March 08, 2020, 09:27:23 PM

They will be in a cluster in the morning. Get another box and offer it to them. There's something they don't like about that one. Quite possibly, too strong a lemongrass smell. It can happen and does very often.

MikeyN.C. · March 09, 2020, 07:53:56 AM

Bob , I like to lay a spread out bed sheet on the ground.

Acebird · March 09, 2020, 08:39:32 AM

Quote from: iddee on March 08, 2020, 09:27:23 PM
Quite possibly, too strong a lemongrass smell.

Yeah, forget the lure. A brood comb wouldn't hurt.

MikeyN.C. · March 09, 2020, 01:13:35 PM

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MikeyN.C. · March 09, 2020, 01:14:42 PM

Father Michael, swarm bee's aren't aggressive as you can see.

MikeyN.C. · March 09, 2020, 01:19:30 PM

That's me last year at a friend's house. Bee's were in the air and I used one of iddee's tricks and started beating a metal trash can lid and bee's lit up on this box. I'm looking for Queen.

Kathyp · March 09, 2020, 02:25:52 PM

This is one of those times you'll get lots of info and some of it will conflict.

I don't use lemongrass or anything in a box that is going to take an already formed swarm. I do use old comb. I use a lure when I am trying to attract scout bees to check out a swarm trap.

When I go after swarms, I take a tarp. I find it easier to put the box on the ground, knock the swarm into the box, and then if I don't get the queen or a lot end up on the ground they don't get lost in the grass. If you can take the branch off or can knock them right into the box, that's great, but I am not very coordinated on top of a ladder!

Anyway, good luck with the catch. Update us!

OH, one other thing. If the swarm has a virgin queen rather than a mated queen in it, I find those harder to settle. Iddee can probably comment on that, but those are the ones I have had trouble getting to go in and stay in.

Ben Framed · March 09, 2020, 03:36:54 PM

I use a King Size, white sheet that I have designated for this purpose. As Mikey said. Works great. Center this sheet beneath the swarm and place a step ladder where needed in the center area. I Use a simple copy paper box to rake or shake them in. Lite, and easy to handle. Any spillage goes on the sheet. Or as Kathy a tarp, same principle. Any spillage will be easily seen and less chance of stepping on the queen in case she missed the box. Maybe this will be of help in the future.

Phillip Hall

Kathyp · March 09, 2020, 05:18:34 PM

QuoteOr as Kathy a tarp, same principle.

Oregon. We use tarps for everything because everything is wet.

FatherMichael · March 09, 2020, 05:35:44 PM

Quote from: MikeyN.C. on March 09, 2020, 01:14:42 PM
Father Michael, swarm bee's aren't aggressive as you can see.

Yes. I'm no good at ladders and climbing due to injuries and hip surgery. If the swarm is lower to the ground then count me in!

Donovan J · March 09, 2020, 06:05:30 PM

Quote from: FatherMichael on March 09, 2020, 05:35:44 PM
Quote from: MikeyN.C. on March 09, 2020, 01:14:42 PM
Father Michael, swarm bee's aren't aggressive as you can see.

Yes. I'm no good at ladders and climbing due to injuries and hip surgery. If the swarm is lower to the ground then count me in!

As in lower to the ground you mean a ground swarm? I had to deal with that last year and it was a pain