swarming

[tincan]

when are the typical swarming times in wisconsin

[AllenF]

Spring.   But a hive can swarm anytime when it is full and drones are out. 

[tincan]

I was just wondering if i should rebait swarm traps or if season was done im 48 and have never seen swarm bad luck or maybe just not many swarms thanks

[Joe D]

I saw a little swarm last week, about the size of your fist.  That's the only one I seen down here in months.



Joe

[blanc]

I have a top bar hive I have had to place empty bars in between brood to keep em from swarming. Caught em making queen cells about a month back and was able to keep em from swarming that way. It has been my best producing hive so far so want to keep those girls content.

[Beeboy01]

I just picked up a small softball sized swarm outside my bee yard last night. It was too small to do anything with so I am combining it with on hive that needs a queen. I'm hoping it has a at least a virgin queen in it which will be accepted by the main hive. I have seen small swarms into the end of August here in Florida. A lot depends on the population pressure and honey flow in the hive.

[danno]

when are the typical swarming times in wisconsin

May and june is the main season up here.   July will see some also but the more time that passes the less chance a swarm can build to make it through the next winter.   I dont trap after june but will shake any I find and use them for wax makers.   Nothing draws out comb like a new swarm.   I also lose a few swarms after I pull supers because they get so crowded in the reduced space

[hardwood]

Beeboy, I've picked up swarms well into Dec. here...they usually only stop for Jan/Feb.

Heidi's swarm.wmv

Scott