Swarm Update

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 01:13:29 PM

Recap:

March 3rd 1403hrs noticed a swarm of bees, though they came from the hive I have, I now question that.
Swarm clustered high up in oak tree, remained there until next morning.
I had 2 traps set, one that I bought from MannLake, the big brown thing, and a hive body I set out with drawn frames containing some honey. I also placed lure and lemongrass oil in both traps.

March 4th bees left big oak tree sometime between 1100 hrs and 1430 hrs. At approx. 1500 hrs I saw the swarming again, this time the bees clustered on a scrub oak, on a fat trunk which was close to the ground.
I tried hiving them to no avail.

March 5th 0730, tried to collect bees to place into hive body, got quite a few, but not the elusive queen. They kept changing their formation on the trunk into tight places. I concede.
0900...bees are beginning the break cluster, I can hear the roar begin...my only hope is that the will swarm on a low flexible branch...

Stay tuned!

Kathyp · March 05, 2008, 01:21:36 PM

or better yet....right into your box or trap!!

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 02:12:53 PM

The hive body trap is a few feet from the cluster. There is a nice group of bees circling the hive body...there have been a few interested in the swarm trap. I am going to shower and go to the store to by sugar, I am all out...just in case they decide to enter one of the traps, they'll be hungry I am sure.

What are the measurements for 1:1 ?

bassman1977 · March 05, 2008, 02:21:27 PM

Quote1:1

1 cup of water for every cup of sugar.

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 03:01:58 PM

1045 hr : Okay, in the time it took me to shower ( maybe 15 minutes )..they moved off the tree trunk...There are still bees hanging out around the hive body, but it looks as though they are possibly inside and over turned metal garbage can! These bees are wayward for sure.

I will check it out after I return from shopping...see how long they remain there...

pdmattox · March 05, 2008, 03:03:42 PM

If they are in a garbage can this should be the easiest. just grab the can and dump them into the hive. good luck.

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 03:30:21 PM

It is a huge metal garbage can, 3/4 my size...I will wait til they all congregate in it, then I will try to lift it high enough to bam it into the hive body...oy vey

watercarving · March 05, 2008, 03:43:39 PM

I know this has been an interesting time for you. I sure wish I had a swarm at my house. I'd love to be catching it.

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 04:48:00 PM

I am going to try again.... :shock:

bassman1977 · March 05, 2008, 05:04:58 PM

The suspense is killing me! :-D

mgates61 · March 05, 2008, 05:57:28 PM

Sure hope U get them this time. our efforts need to bee rewarded.

Mike

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 06:09:23 PM

Okay so here is what I did..I went down there with a batch of 1:1 syrup with lemongrass oil...I spray as many bees as I could, and set up the hive body next to the garbage can, I also sprayed some drawn comb and set it next to the can...as bees gathered on the foundation I put them in the hive...I was getting really brave,and when I lifted the can a pile of bees fell to the ground! Drat...so I sprayed them and covered them back up thinking they would ball up inside...of course I had no way of knowing where they were on the inside...after spraying a bunch of syrup and getting head butted ( nary a sting on my jacket )...I got brave again and just lifted the 'freakin can and tapped it into the hive body. I have NO idea if the queen is in there, but I am finished for now...Gonna let them settle down or swarm again depending on if I got the queen.

Queen includer is on...I will check things out in an hour to see if they are going inside...if they swarm again, well, thats that, I gave the old/new beekeeper all...

They sure did like that syrup poor things are hungry...I am set to feed them if they all go inside the hive...

Place your bets now...LOL

mgates61 · March 05, 2008, 06:15:14 PM

10$ on DayValleyDahlias to win !!!!

Kathyp · March 05, 2008, 06:17:16 PM

good for you. no one can say that you are not persistent! :-) i haven't had so much fun reading posts in a long time. thanks!!!!!!

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 06:36:11 PM

I would like this story to have an ending like this:

"Queen Captured, All is Well in Beedom" :-D

Jerrymac · March 05, 2008, 06:40:09 PM

This is more exciting than a dead snail race :-D

Frantz · March 05, 2008, 06:44:24 PM

Well, Well, Well, Wellllllll?
Frantz

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 06:47:04 PM

LOLOLOL...I am pooped..all that worrying and sugar spraying and garbage can thumping...

annette · March 05, 2008, 06:58:42 PM

Any more news????

DayValleyDahlias · March 05, 2008, 07:16:47 PM

Just went down there, there are still some bees clustered on one side of the deep, it does look as though bees are entering. I see where bees have already removed some cappings from the foundation, as they ( the cappings ) are sitting on the landing board. I just put a bucket of syrup on top for them. We shall see? :-P I need advil