Swarm fishing..

ktbearpaws · March 04, 2007, 03:04:23 PM

When "swarm fishing", what makes a good place to put you trap? {ex.fields, streams, orchard flowers, ect..}
Also what time of year should this be done?

Mici · March 04, 2007, 03:29:47 PM

don't know much, but probably somewhere where it isn't to windy, and somewhere warm.
what time? when it's "swarm season" if you don't know when that is (i suppose you don't) just put them out once the real spring has begun, at least i'd do it so.

what i really wanted to say/remind you off, before the mods/admins do. you really don't have to open a new topic for every question...i mean, just go on with the previous topic, adding questions-if they are somehow connected, like the last 3-4 topics of you have been

Michael Bush · March 04, 2007, 04:17:45 PM

Swarm season varies from place to place. I suppose an easy signal would be about the time the apple trees bloom. That should be early enough you won't miss them.

It's difficult to know what a good spot is until you catch one. If you DO catch one, put more at that location. If you don't, move them somewhere else.

If you have time to hang out and observe the bait hives, you'll see field bees checking them out sometimes. That's a good indication that it's a fairly good spot.

Understudy · March 04, 2007, 05:08:35 PM

Swarm trapping is like fishing the good spots fishermen won't talk about and the okay places they won't shut up about.

For me it is very simple. If I have done a cut out. I put a swarm trap there. I have two reasons. One, if they abscond I want them to move into the swarm trap. Two, if the bees have been there they are likely to return. Instead of having to cut them out of a wall or ceiling again. I would much rather have them in a swarm trap.

I keep a swarm trap about half a mile from my hives. If they swarm while I am at work I hope they will go there.

Swarm traps go out to areas where I know there are feral hives. Near gardens and parks. this way the gardens get help and the parks get bee hives that can be controlled and easily removed.

Patience is required. Some will catch a hive in less than a week, some take months, some never do.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

ktbearpaws · March 05, 2007, 01:23:36 AM

After introducing a colony or swarm to a new hive, how long til you can expect to take to get honey?

Michael Bush · March 05, 2007, 07:17:23 AM

>After introducing a colony or swarm to a new hive, how long til you can expect to take to get honey?

Everything with bees depends. It depends on the size of the swarm, the strength of the flow, the time of year they swarmed, the prolificness of the queen, how you mange them, etc.

But with any swarm or package I wouldn't PLAN on getting any honey until the second year. You might get some, and you might not the first year.

Understudy · March 05, 2007, 07:20:16 AM

It depends on when you catch the swarm. Swarms are not as big as packages. You can artifically feed them to help build them up. My estimate is 6 months to one year. This is to get a hive to the equal of two deeps for brood and then add honey supers. If you go for one deep for brood and the rest for honey it would be shorter. I run unlimited brood with no excluder. Getting a hive to about four deeps for brood takes longer but there are more bees to gather honey. Also it is less likey that I will have brood in my honey supers. I don't add excluders.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

livetrappingbymatt · March 07, 2007, 08:34:51 PM

i also place swarm traps were i've pulled a cut out,these are proven spots.last season at one house i captured 3 swarms. it was a long way from home and while changeing nucs a swarm tried to reinfest the wall, that one was killed before i could get back too it.
this season will place 2 -8 frame bodies for swarm swason.
bob

ktbearpaws · March 08, 2007, 12:42:45 AM

When is swarm season?
Is it more likely at certain times?

Michael Bush · March 08, 2007, 07:41:41 AM

>When is swarm season?

Here, reproductive swarm season is mostly May and a little bit into June. But swarms can happen anytime things get too crowded too.

More info on swarming, causes, etc.:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

For a real understanding of swarming get Walt Wright's manuscript and study it (address in the above link). The manuscript takes a few times through as it's very detailed, but it's worth it.