First swarm of the season

[Patrick]

Spotted the first swarm of this season, Feb 7 Venice, Ca!!  Beats my previous observation recored of March 9th.

Cheers,
Patrick

[Kirk-o]

Hi Buddy
Yeah The Peach trees are Blooming at the garden I'm putting out 5 swarm traps
Sunday
kirk

[bassman1977]

Yeah The Peach trees are Blooming at the garden I'm putting out 5 swarm traps

Keep us posted.  I'd like to know how that goes.  I hear it is very hit and miss.  You ever catch anything?

[DayValleyDahlias]

I am worried that if I put out a swarm trap, it will entice my bees...???????

[annette]

That is how I feel.

[Scadsobees]

I am worried that if I put out a swarm trap, it will entice my bees...???????

It will...if your bees are swarming.  And that is a good thing to entice them then or they will be gone!!!!

A happy healthy hive won't abscond for a swarm trap nearby.  If they leave it will usually be for a new area with better forage.  And that is rare.

Rick

[deltacornbread]

I am worried that if I put out a swarm trap, it will entice my bees...???????

If they gonna swarm, they gonna swarm. Might as well catch your own swarms. :-D

[annette]

Ok I understand. If it looks like the hives are going to swarm (capped queen cells) then I can place a nuc I just put together, with lemongrass oil rubbed onto the top bars near the hives and see what happens.

What do you think??

Annette

[Ronnie Elliott]

I always put my swarm traps 300 yards South of the bee yards, 8-9 feet off the ground.  If it is a 10-frame hive, just get it off the ground enough so the varments won't get into it.  We have lots of feral wild hogs here in Texas.  I only use a few drops of lemmon grass oil as an attractant, and always have attracted swarms.  I have to wait until late March, or April to start putting out swarm traps.  I'm so envious that you are having swarms this early in the season.

[Michael Bush]

>Ok I understand. If it looks like the hives are going to swarm (capped queen cells) then I can place a nuc I just put together, with lemongrass oil rubbed onto the top bars near the hives and see what happens.

>What do you think??

I'd give you about a one in eight chance they will move into your nuc.  On the other hand if you PUT them in your nuc by putting a frame with queen cells and some other brood and honey and do a split then there's more like a 99.99% chance.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beessplits.htm#swarmcontrol

[annette]

Michael

I feel so stupid right now. Don't know what I was thinking as I did that very thing last summer. Remember I split the hive when I saw the capped queen cells, per your instructions. And now that is why I have 2 hives instead of 1.

My mind was on this swarming business and I totally forgot about the split I made. Maybe I should just shut up and read and learn.

Annette

[Michael Bush]

Setting up a bait hive is a wonderful idea.  It's just not something I'd depend on.  No reason to "shut up and read" when you can ask questions...

[Brian D. Bray]

Setting up a bait hive is a wonderful idea.  It's just not something I'd depend on.  No reason to "shut up and read" when you can ask questions...

Especially when they answered.