A little help please

iddee · January 15, 2015, 09:33:07 PM

The main thing I try to point out is any foundation will have uniform size cells. Natural comb will not. There is the difference. Eventually, given time, the bees will convert foundation to natural comb with variable cells.

craneman54 · January 15, 2015, 11:46:33 PM

I understand. I will get some foundation to start and swap them out when I can. I'll let the bees build the size cells they want and do all I can to help them along.

Thanks for all who gave advice.

hjon71 · January 17, 2015, 04:54:36 AM

If JP's videos are any indication swarms are normal and expected in Louisiana. I'd say you will have bees before you know it. Best of luck.

craneman54 · January 17, 2015, 09:29:56 AM

QuoteI'd say you will have bees before you know it. Best of luck.

Thanks

I sure hope so.
I know of several locations where a local professional beek has hives. I plan on putting swarm traps around those areas in hopes of catching off cast swarms form his hives. I may get lucky and catch 2 or3 swarms there.

GSF · January 17, 2015, 07:54:08 PM

Be careful craneman, some beeks are a little sensitive about that. Good luck with your adventures, it sure is fun.

rookie2531 · January 17, 2015, 09:26:18 PM

Well I say if he let them swarm, somebody should catch them. I told a co-worker that has 8 hives that I was going to set traps by his place, because he does nothing to prevent it. Of course, I'm just kidding though. I think my time is best vested in splitting my own.

Good Luck, I hope you fill every trap you set.

craneman54 · January 18, 2015, 12:30:55 AM

Thanks for the well wishes.

Quote from: GSF on January 17, 2015, 07:54:08 PM
Be careful craneman, some beeks are a little sensitive about that. Good luck with your adventures, it sure is fun.

I try not to do things to others that I wouldn't want done to me,but if he is a professional and he allows his bees to swarm, then he has done something wrong. I won't put my traps any closer then about a quarter mile of someones hives. Beyond that he has no claim, is the way I see it. This one area he has hives is between a public road and a large canal. He doesn't own that section of land but I will still stay far enough away so as not to encroach on his area but I will put my traps out to try and catch what he has allowed to swarm.

OldMech · January 18, 2015, 01:20:40 AM

Usually a swarm gathers nearby first. Then heads out when the scouts have located a suitable nest site... As far as I am concerned, if I dont get them before that decision is made, then I wish better luck to whoever catches them in a swarm box.