Time sensitive.... Hope for a quick reply..

Royall · May 24, 2014, 09:01:13 PM

I captured my first swarm and there was no queen. I just got back from my beek friend with two frames of brood and a queen cell with an egg inside. Jim sent the frames along with the bees to attend the brood and queen cells. I didn't have any drones in my hive so he sent a frame that had some drone cells on it.

Question:

Can I just add the two new frames into the hive? Will there be problems mixing the new and old bees? It was mentioned that I might try putting a sheet of newspaper between two boxes with slits in the paper and some honey around the slits so the bees start mingling slowly...... What do you guys suggest or what do you do? Don't want the girls to fight and hurt each other.

richter1978 · May 24, 2014, 09:10:46 PM

I'd put the frames in. If your worried, brush the bees off first.

HomeSteadDreamer · May 24, 2014, 09:47:46 PM

Only been doing this for a year but... I'd put them in.

Royall · May 24, 2014, 10:04:44 PM

OK, went out and put the frames with capped brood and a queen cell in the hive. There is some "arguing" between the girls but no stingers coming out yet. I watched them for quite a while.... lots of bees in the air but lots going in and out of the hive. I'll now more when the sun comes up tomorrow. They do still have about 3 1/2 hours of daylight left to get acquainted! LOL

RHBee · May 24, 2014, 10:08:29 PM

Sounds like you got 'er done. Aloha.

Jim134 · May 24, 2014, 10:14:59 PM

I do have a suggestion if you ever do this again bring a spray of sugar syrup so you can spray both halves of the bees it will help out in my humble opinion.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Royall · May 24, 2014, 10:19:08 PM

I'll remember that Jim. At least as long as my old brain allows! LOL What does the sugar water do? Get them to clean the sent off of the other hive?

Royall · May 25, 2014, 12:58:26 AM

Evening is approaching and the ladies seem to have accepted the new girls. Looks like harmony in the hive! I did observe quite a bit shoving and pulling on the landing board but never found any bodies from serious confrontations. I guess I was stressing about nothing LOL..... Thanks to those that replied!!

BlueBee · May 25, 2014, 02:41:46 AM

A swarm and no queen? What happened to the queen? Unless you squished her, I would expect one in there someplace. A virgin queen is not nearly as distinctive as a laying queen. No need to fret about it now, you'll eventually have a queen one way or another.

Jim134 · May 25, 2014, 02:59:21 AM

Quote from: Jim 134 on May 24, 2014, 10:14:59 PM
I do have a suggestion if you ever do this again bring a spray of sugar syrup so you can spray both halves of the bees it will help out in my humble opinion.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

This post should read

I do have a suggestion if you ever do this again bring a spray bottle of sugar water syrup so you can spray both halves of the bees it will help out in my humble opinion.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Quote from: Royall on May 24, 2014, 10:19:08 PM
I'll remember that Jim. At least as long as my old brain allows! LOL What does the sugar water do? Get them to clean the sent off of the other hive?

What will happen is the bees will be cleaning each other off and it will help mask the pheromones.

This has been my experience with sugar water spray there has been less fighting and better acceptance to both hives you are trying to put together.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

RHBee · May 25, 2014, 08:28:09 AM

Quote from: Jim 134 on May 24, 2014, 10:14:59 PM
I do have a suggestion if you ever do this again bring a spray of sugar syrup so you can spray both halves of the bees it will help out in my humble opinion.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Funny thing Jim, I never noticed the missing red words and understood exactly what you were saying. Good tip. Never thought about using the cleaning instinct to keep them occupied during a combine.
Thanks
Ray