Collecting a swarm how long can it be kept in box??? Help!!

Airwreck · May 29, 2010, 01:08:18 AM

Hey I am new to beekeeping and bees have decided to get me started sooner than I really planned.. We have a swarm on the eaves of the house. Didn't leave today due to heavy rains.. If it is still there in the morning.I was going to collect it into a box to move to a hive.. but I haven't had a chance to build the hive. I can build a topbar hive in day or 2 depending on glue setting rate..
But my main concern is how long can I keep it in the box???
Also when using a TBH what is the method of choice for the first feed??? Bag or Tray???
Can I use sugar cane placed in the bottom of the hive instead???
I am hoping to collect this swam tomorrow

Thanks

JP · May 29, 2010, 06:29:16 AM

I would catch the swarm as soon as possible so they don't move into a gap into the eave. Once housed you can leave them in no longer than two days, in case you have a virgin queen that needs to leave to get mated.

You can feed them whatever way you choose as long as syrup doesn't get on them. Liquid feed, table sugar only in winter for emergency feed.

...JP

AllenF · May 29, 2010, 08:54:09 AM

If you leave the hive in the box for more than a couple of days, you will have to cut them out because they will have their comb started. If you are going with a tbh, work some wood slats into the top of the box. That way they will have frames started when you have the hive finished.

MagicValley · May 29, 2010, 09:11:22 AM

Quote from: JP on May 29, 2010, 06:29:16 AM
You can feed them whatever way you choose as long as syrup doesn't get on them. Liquid feed, table sugar only in winter for emergency feed.

JP - Can you please explain your thoughts with this in detail? I'm feeding my new colony with 1:1 cane sugar/water, since I started it a month ago. And, when I open the hive, I usually spray them with the same mix to keep them busy cleaning each other instead of coming after me.

harvey · May 29, 2010, 09:40:12 AM

I have left them in a cardboard box as long as four days, I had a two inch by two inch opening in the bottom of the box for an entrance. The did have comb built off the top of the box by the time I moved them into a real hive. Next time I have to leave them in there for that long I will suspend frames in there somehow. Swarms start drawing comb as soon as they are put into something.

Airwreck · May 29, 2010, 11:53:53 AM

Thanks a million folks...The info helps..

I can say that the swarm has been there about 4 days.. there was a discussion between the wife and I about what to do.. :).

So what it seems from what I have glissed from your words.. is that they have most likely started a comb..hive etc..

I am 90 percent done with the TBH and it will be finished today ready to go..what are the chances that I will get the queen??

If I move a large clump of the bees.. would the real estate Agent bees report back that they have found better digs and the rest move???

Thanks

JP · May 29, 2010, 12:10:34 PM

Quote from: Airwreck on May 29, 2010, 11:53:53 AM
Thanks a million folks...The info helps..

I can say that the swarm has been there about 4 days.. there was a discussion between the wife and I about what to do.. :).

So what it seems from what I have glissed from your words.. is that they have most likely started a comb..hive etc..

I am 90 percent done with the TBH and it will be finished today ready to go..what are the chances that I will get the queen??

If I move a large clump of the bees.. would the real estate Agent bees report back that they have found better digs and the rest move???

Thanks

I am guessing at this point its very possible they may have moved into the eave. If not time is of the essence to box them or they will either move into the stucture or move on altogether. An external colony is also a small possibility.

You will need to look for the queen, it is important that you get her or all the bees in this swarm will move back to the spot. If you move the vast majority without a queen, well, you'll need to either get a queen or combine them with a queen right colony.

Magic valley, puff a lil smoke in the hive before you go in, use your smoker and stop spraying them with sugar water. Sorry to be blunt.

...JP

AllenF · May 29, 2010, 01:11:25 PM

Blunt, puff, magic valley, smoke. Fuuuuunny.

Airwreck · May 29, 2010, 05:03:14 PM

with closer inspection they have started a comb.

now what ...they are 20 feet off the ground ..not a fun place to be on the ladder????

JP · May 29, 2010, 05:23:10 PM

Quote from: Airwreck on May 29, 2010, 05:03:14 PM
with closer inspection they have started a comb.

now what ...they are 20 feet off the ground ..not a fun place to be on the ladder????

Get up on a ladder and remove them. What you waiting for? ;)

...JP

Airwreck · May 29, 2010, 05:55:33 PM

after wobbly knees I gone a do dat. :shock:

Have no idea if I got the queen.. Am I right in thinking that aftere 24 hours.. If I got her they will stay in the new digs??

If I didn't get her they will return to where they came???

Airwreck · May 29, 2010, 07:14:54 PM

I wanted to add to the last post some more information..
I hadn't stated that the new TBH was less than a 100 yrds from the eaves hive..
It looks like that some of the moved bees are staying. At the original location they have returned to the thick cluster that was before but it is a lot smaller.

So now I am wondering..
With the two locations being so close could I be lucky and since there is a source of food in the new hive that is it logical to think that they just might move to the new digs???

If I didn't get the queen then do I keep doing the relocation drill?

IT looks like the hive is somewhat building on the outside of the eaves along with on the inside. So where would look for the queen???

If she is on the inside of the building doesn't this become a never ending battle one That I would never win??

Could it be possible that there were 2 queens??

Think that covers the questions my tiny little brain has now..

As always thanks for all the help

hardwood · May 29, 2010, 07:24:58 PM

If you have comb built inside the soffit you need to cut it out. Regardless of where the queen is if you still have comb/honey/brood in the house another colony would find that very attractive and may set up shop. While in there you'll be more apt to locate the queen anyway.

I'd be happy to come help. I'll only charge airfare for two and a week's accommodations at the Barbados Hilton :-D

Scott

JP · May 29, 2010, 08:18:39 PM

Swarm on eave for four days, moved in, yep, that's what I was thinkin'. Go ahead and hire Scott to come on over and remove them for you. He can bring a pig with him and y'all can do bbq. ;)

Seriously, hire him and y'all can do bbq!

...JP

hardwood · May 29, 2010, 08:19:58 PM

Wonderin' what the air fare is for a pig?

Scott