Is a swarm about to choose me?

[tillie]

In my carport I have a nuc sitting with old, yucky deep frames in it - no top - or at least the top is leaning against the carport wall.  Today there are about 40 bees exploring the nuc, in and out, in and out.  I'm wondering if they are scouts for a swarm?

I'll let you know.

Linda T in Atlanta

[randydrivesabus]

or maybe some of your own bees?

[tillie]

Certainly could be my own bees but there's no pay-off for the bees in exploring this nuc of left-over deep frames with no honey, nothing but old wax, unless you are looking for a new home.  If my own bees are about to swarm, what better place than to land in my own carport?  The beehives are behind my house - this nuc being explored is in the front in the carport.

Linda T wondering in Atlanta

[MrILoveTheAnts]

I would say yes this sounds like scouting behavior. However, this doesn't ensure a swarm will arrive. It just says one or more swarms are thinking about moving in. Lemon grass oil certainly gets results similar to this though.

[tillie]

A couple of hours later and the numbers interested have diminished - I think my nuc is losing out to another site choice - oh, well, it was fun to speculate - thanks for reminding me about the lemongrass oil.  I'll spread some of my concoction there.

Linda T in Atlanta

[KONASDAD]

I find its usually your own bees. They smell honey, inspect, find out it's not worth it and move on. Throughout the day, different bees make the same conclusion as they fly by, smell the hive scent and then leave.

[waters]

I posted last week on 3 swarms moving into my old, unnoccupied equipment.  I saw a lot of activity around those boxes just the same, but thought it was my own bees, from the 1 hive I had going, robbing it out.

Next thing I know, 3 new swarms just moved right in!

Keep an eye out!

[tillie]

Last year I had a swarm move in to a box I had on my deck, unused. 

It was exciting - guess I'm wishing for more, but I do have seven hives this year and that's a lot for an urban backyard!

Linda T in Atlanta

[doak]

If the wax/frames are in good shape, go ahead and put the top on, or if you have an extra  couple 10 frame boxes, sit them in the place where the nuc is.
Not knowing where the bees are from, then another group may inspect it.
The swarm that came in last week took an old stack of small and medium boxes, 4 in the stack.
I got them moved that night and a couple days later went in and changed 3 of the boxes that had messed comb/foundation  for 3 that were good.
Checked yesterday and the queen is laying.
Only thing, they started wax on the outer edge of the top bar and didn't touch the foundation on one of the frames. I let it ride. :roll: :)doak

[JP]

Certainly could be my own bees but there's no pay-off for the bees in exploring this nuc of left-over deep frames with no honey, nothing but old wax, unless you are looking for a new home.  If my own bees are about to swarm, what better place than to land in my own carport?  The beehives are behind my house - this nuc being explored is in the front in the carport.

Linda T wondering in Atlanta

Linda, I have a similar set up, actually exactly as you describe. I had a swarm I housed that after a few days decided to check out a swarm trap under my carport. I came home one evening and peered through my back door window to check on my nephew who was building boxes etc... for me.

I went back inside and then a few minutes later I saw a bunch of activity from one of my hives and noticed bees starting to exit en mass.

I had noticed bees checking the swarm trap out on my way in but didn't think much of it.

Anyway, I stood there waiting for the queen to exit so I could catch her and sure enough after perhaps 1/2 of the bees left she pops out & I catch her, but she gave me the slip.

Went under the carport and there they were in the swarm trap. There's more to the story but I'll leave it at that, as things are getting lengthy.

Here's a pic of them after they swarmed into the trap:


...JP