What happens when you forget....

Nock · July 18, 2020, 09:45:02 PM

[attachment=0][/attachment][attachment=1][/attachment]
To put frames in a swarm trap. Haha. I had caught a swarm in that trap. Took them home and transferred them. I was out of frames but wanted to get that trap back out. So put it up. I had frames on order so thought I?d just put them in it when they came in. Well I forgot and caught second swarm from that location. So I?ve been waiting for them to draw enough comb to be worth cutting out and framing. Finally moved them into a nuc today.

Bob Wilson · July 18, 2020, 10:21:26 PM

I think the "National Rubber Band Makers Association of America" should give us beekeepers a hefty discount for bulk purchases.
Beautiful comb, Nock.

Nock · July 18, 2020, 10:30:01 PM

Thanks. I get mine from work. Off the hanger are uniforms come on. Asked the guy who comes and does delivery?s. They don?t reuse them.

Ben Framed · July 18, 2020, 10:34:24 PM

If you ever need more try office max, number 64 works good for me.

Nock · July 20, 2020, 12:31:04 PM

[attachment=0][/attachment]
Little update. So when I put them in there new box Saturday there were a few bees still in old box. So I left it leaned up on new box. So they could walk in. Checked it yesterday morning and all the bees had left the nuc and were back in the empty swarm trap. So I just put all the frames back in the swarm box with them. And put it back on the stand. Figured I just give them a few days and I would transfer frames back to nuc. Went back last night at dark to see how they were doing. Took top off and nothing. Well crap. Figured they were nearby but couldn?t find them. So I check again this morning before work and find them. Problem is they are high. Probably around 30?. So I scrambled up 3 swarm boxes and set up around the yard. Hopefully they will hit one. If still there this evening I may have to get creative to get them. So I guess I should?ve caged the Queen. I know when they swarm the odds of hitting a box that close are slim but what about in the case of absconding?

Ben Framed · July 20, 2020, 03:16:59 PM

Quote from: Nock on July 20, 2020, 12:31:04 PM
[attachment=0][/attachment]
Little update. So when I put them in there new box Saturday there were a few bees still in old box. So I left it leaned up on new box. So they could walk in. Checked it yesterday morning and all the bees had left the nuc and were back in the empty swarm trap. So I just put all the frames back in the swarm box with them. And put it back on the stand. Figured I just give them a few days and I would transfer frames back to nuc. Went back last night at dark to see how they were doing. Took top off and nothing. Well crap. Figured they were nearby but couldn?t find them. So I check again this morning before work and find them. Problem is they are high. Probably around 30?. So I scrambled up 3 swarm boxes and set up around the yard. Hopefully they will hit one. If still there this evening I may have to get creative to get them. So I guess I should?ve caged the Queen. I know when they swarm the odds of hitting a box that close are slim but what about in the case of absconding?

Sometimes they just do not want to stay where we put them. I have read where iddee said that if a swarm is a virgin queen, they will be harder to settle. If you have access to a 10' step ladder, a 16' pool pole and full pool hose, a bee vac 30' should not be a problem. Only thing when you vac a swarm that high you can not pick out the queen, so caging the queen can be a hang-up. Let us know what happens.

Nock · July 20, 2020, 04:07:56 PM

She is mated. They left brood. I?ll let you know how it goes.

Acebird · July 20, 2020, 05:23:24 PM

I don't think you should let them have access to the swarm box right away. If they drew comb and raised brood in it it smells too much like home. People have made that mistake with a package. Once you transfer the bees get rid of the box they were in. Bring it in the house if you have to but don't let them have access.

Nock · July 21, 2020, 12:34:52 AM

Quote from: Acebird on July 20, 2020, 05:23:24 PM
I don't think you should let them have access to the swarm box right away. If they drew comb and raised brood in it it smells too much like home. People have made that mistake with a package. Once you transfer the bees get rid of the box they were in. Bring it in the house if you have to but don't let them have access.

Makes sense. They were gone this afternoon. My mistake but hopefully learned something.

.30WCF · July 21, 2020, 10:29:50 PM

Another way is a five gallon bucket on a pole. The grey electrical conduit at Lowe?s comes in 10? sections that can be put together and taken apart. Duct tape a bucket to 10/20/30? of pipe and give them a jab or two. Most should fall into the bucket.

You can also bee vac through the conduit as an extension.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

amymcg · July 22, 2020, 12:46:27 PM

Quote from: .30WCF on July 21, 2020, 10:29:50 PM
Another way is a five gallon bucket on a pole. The grey electrical conduit at Lowe?s comes in 10? sections that can be put together and taken apart. Duct tape a bucket to 10/20/30? of pipe and give them a jab or two. Most should fall into the bucket.

You can also bee vac through the conduit as an extension.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is exactly how a swarm was retrieved from one of my trees. Used an upside down 5 gallon water cooler container with the bottom cut off.