Thanks to Bud6

[GSF]

I would like to stop and thank Bud and all the folks at Bud6. Thanks to yall I have learn to spot potential swarm behavior. Up until last April at Bud6's, I hadn't seen a swarm of bees in a couple of decades at least. We caught a few swarms that weekend, I saw a hive's behavior right at swarm time. I also learned how easy it was (for the most part) to retrieve swarms.

Because of that I was able to save two swarms from my hives this past week, one being today. I know, I know, "a swarm in July".

I'd have to say my hives have been acting funny this year. (Maybe it's normal) This hive that swarmed didn't have any swarm cells and had plenty of space in the brood chamber and honey supers. The only flow I can think of is the cotton fields and soybean fields. The soybeans and a cotton field are about a quarter mile away and another cotton field is 350-400 yards through the woods. The only ones I've been feeding are the cut outs and the recent swarm. This hive that swarmed is the same hive I found a queen on the carpet in front of it several days ago. They let her back in with no problem. The other strange thing is the amount of queens I've been finding outside the hive, dead, or missing.

I went over to another hive that had about 5 frames of capped brood the other day and their population is almost nothing compared to yesterday. It could be they are busy. This swarm today I saw it come out of the hive.

Thanks again to everyone.

[cdray]

Glad you were able to save your swarms Gary. I'm already looking forward to Bud 7!

[bud1]

shore looking farward to seeing the whole crew again.
you can sure learn from allan buckly  little sucker knows bees