First swarm cells 2022

[Bee North]

I was making nucs today and one of my hives was preparing to swarm. It had 7 or 8 capped cells and packed with bees.

All my hives have a lot of drones. They are all strong, hence the splits.

And so it begins!

[max2]

Good one!

I'm still a few weeks off

[Oldbeavo]

First swarms in Northern Victoria
At cherries yesterday adding supers here are 2 swarms in the cherry trees. These bees are only 7 days out of almonds but have had 7 days access to canola.
Didn't take much to tip them into swarming, cells had to have been made at almonds.

[Bee North]

Isn't that a bit early for down there Oldbeavo?

[Oldbeavo]

Hi Bee North
I wish it was as it would make life easier.
We only had 2 bee operating days due to weather this week and inspected 64 hives that about 12 had swarmed. We caught on but the others have gone when we are not there.
Alot of queen cells in others so heavy splitting, usually removing 3 frames of brood and bees.
Still 125 hives to go if we can get some warm weather, but with warm weather they will also swarm.
.

[Bee North]

Sounds like a busy time for you my friend. I hope the weather works in your favour!

[Oldbeavo]

The bees and the weather are beating us, probably a third of the hives we are looking at have swarmed. Caught 2 that went out while we were there yesterday.
Can't get through them quick enough as we only seem to have a 5-6 hour window each day, and the last hour the chill is in and the bees let us know we are not welcome.
Very early season, but the canola was also early and the bees even on low flying hours are still gathering enough to get strong.