Is anyone else having the swarmyest year EVER.

BAHBEEs · April 06, 2020, 02:54:04 PM

So, I made it through winter with 4 hives. First swarm happened about ten days ago. Over those ten days I have watched those 4 hives pump out 8 swarms...and I caught all but one, so am now sitting on 11 hives...in essentially a week!!!

Did a Hive dive day before yesterday. All hives a pumping regardless of how many left.

I even watched one hive (I sat in a chair and watched this happen) push out 2 swarms literally back to back. One had barely gotten all its bees to the tree, before the next bunch started swirling.

My theory is that the stunning rain amounts this year may have kicked this off.

Anyone else suddenly covered up in hives?

Barry

FatherMichael · April 06, 2020, 06:05:52 PM

Wow! Did you have boxes on hand for all that?

Makes me want to order some more.

cao · April 06, 2020, 06:42:53 PM

That sounds about how last year was for me. In my case I got behind checking on my hives and I didn't realize how many of the farmers planted a cover crop over winter. A very wet spring and all that crimson clover bloomed for over two weeks. My hive got honey bound quick. One swarm that I caught in my back yard, I put in a ten frame deep with drawn comb. It was on a cart so I figured that I would move it backwards a few feet every couple of days until it was in the row with my other hives. I was in no hurry. About the time they had brood hatching it swarmed again.

BeeMaster2 · April 06, 2020, 07:09:41 PM

I had six swarms from my hives, caught 5. I usually get a lot of calls for swarms by this time but I have not received any.
Jim Altmiller

Bob Wilson · April 06, 2020, 07:24:07 PM

Answer me this. I have a swarm box that has had 6-15 bees hovering around it daily for two weeks. I checked the box at night with a good shake and knock. Empty. Are they slacker/loafers from one of my hives 50 feet away?

van from Arkansas · April 06, 2020, 07:50:25 PM

I had a swarm this day from a support hive with Italian queen. I captured the swarm.

The cold weather has really set me back, last weekend, just yesterday, to cold to open hives. Finally today, Monday 70F and swarm. I am behind on inspections. I have not even begun grafting, which some years is in February and here it is April already. I am waiting on mature drones that take about 5 weeks from egg to maturity. I have several genetic quality hives that need space, like tomorrow, or the queen is going to swarm. I have to prioritize; secure high breed genetic quality first, then I?ll take care of support hives last.

Nice to see you captured so many swarms, BahBees.

Ben Framed · April 06, 2020, 11:04:39 PM

Yes Barry, I have noticed this also. I called myself watching my hives closely and making sure they had plenty of space. I felt I must be behind to let this happen and was a little ashamed to tell it.

My opinion is you are correct about the rain. It has rained here almost every day since October, not literally but it seems, until the last few days.

I have had 9 swarms and caught 8. (If I had more I did not see them). One got away as I could not reach them. I should have caught them but they were too high, (so I thought). When another one, a day or so later landed almost in the same place here is what I did. I have a 10 foot step ladder. I could not use a regular ladder as the limbs are too flimsy to rest a ladder against. Once again breaking out my trusty bee vac, and retrieving the 16 foot adjustable pool pole, taped the hose to the pole, climbed the ladder which I secured by stakes, up to the next to the last step, reaching almost as far as I could reach I was able to put the suction to them. I am happy to tell you I got em. lol

Phillip

van from Arkansas · April 07, 2020, 10:13:47 AM

8 swarms, that is great, Phil.

I looked at 15 day forecast, cold, cold, only two days I can work bees, today and tomorrow. Then low 37F, high 63F, for next 13 days. Unusual to be so constant cold. Hope sunshine prevails for ya Phil, and other who need. I will keep down jacket close till mid April...

Van

BAHBEEs · April 07, 2020, 11:14:26 AM

And two hours after I posted this question...yet another swarm arose. Amazing how fast it can happen. I walked past the hive on the phone with a friend who also keep bees. Did a circuit of my yard, and when I looked back one of my hives was yet again birthing a cyclone of bees.

Note. Folks say swarms are docile...quite true once they have settled into a ball...not so much while they are exiting the hive.

I don't know what to say about this year. They have plenty of space. It isn't like I have then jammed up or anything.

Just Amazing.

Driving down this afternoon for an emergency 8 hive buy (usually build my own but...) from Foxhound Bee Co.

I am hoping todays wet weather might keep them down but at this point...???? who knows!!!

Barry

Seeb · April 07, 2020, 11:31:03 AM

Wow! don't know if that's good or bad news Bahbees, but it is cool/a rush to hive a swarm! Reminds me that though I have a new hive, I still need to get some backup equipment ready.

I took this picture while laying on the ground under a swarm

[attachment=0][/attachment]

BAHBEEs · April 07, 2020, 12:00:47 PM

They where kind enough to go low. I always appreciate the swarms that do that instead of going 30 feet up.

The15thMember · April 07, 2020, 12:04:47 PM

Quote from: Seeb on April 07, 2020, 11:31:03 AM
I took this picture while laying on the ground under a swarm

[attachment=0][/attachment]

Cool picture, Seeb!

Quote from: BAHBEEs on April 07, 2020, 12:00:47 PM
They where kind enough to go low. I always appreciate the swarms that do that instead of going 30 feet up.

I had a hive swarm yesterday. My sister always helps me when I need to catch one, she think's it's really fun. Our swarm landed in the tiniest tree around, so it was an easy catch. They were at like shoulder level!

Hopefully that tree will be a favorite for swarms in the future.

Ben Framed · April 07, 2020, 12:45:43 PM

> Hope sunshine prevails for ya Phil, and other who need. I will keep down jacket close till mid April...

Thank you Mr Van. I hope things warm up for you also. I suppose we had all better watch our yards closely and search the tree limbs. I for one don't mind the swarm if I can hive it, but when one gets away that hurts. lol

> I don't know what to say about this year. They have plenty of space. It isn't like I have then jammed up or anything.
Just Amazing.

I thought I had mine under control also Berry with plenty of space. I do not know what to think about this year either. Must be one of those nature situations where nature is telling the bees to multiply multiply multiply?

> My sister always helps me when I need to catch one, she thinks it's really fun. Our swarm landed in the tiniest tree around, so it was an easy catch. They were at like shoulder level!

Hopefully that tree will be a favorite for swarms in the future.

I bet yall are having a ball together! The low hanging ones are even more fun!
Phillip

Seeb · April 07, 2020, 01:35:06 PM

Knock on wood Bahbee, I've only had one swarm that was high in a fruit tree, but I drove my pickup under the tree with the hive box in the back, climbed the tree and stomped the limb [this was in an orchard nearby and the folks that called me saw it land, so I knew their bellies were full] and as usual - those girls marched right in.

Member - this pic if from the same swarm you see in my forum profile, unfortunately that low limbed tree is no longer around. Hope your bees will accommodate you by landing in your tree . . .

Wishing for things to warm up for you Van