Did I get Her?

[rayb]

We got a call for a "smoked ham "size swarm on a 2" branch about 12 feet up. We simply held a cardboard box below it and jarred the branch. Most fell into the box but several hundred would reform on the branch site and we would bump the branch again to get the stragglers.I placed a screen over the box with just one corner open. The bees started fanning within a few minutes. Other bees flying around eventually joined the box. After waiting an hour or so, we thought that we probably had the queen. Here's my question...

"IF" the bees are fanning at the entrance after a few minutes , can I say that we definitely got the queen or will they sometimes fan IF she is not there?

Thanks, Ray

[iddee]

Fanning or not, if she isn't there, they will vacate the box within 10 minutes. That is, if there is a queen in the swarm at all.If they stayed in and on the box for an hour, you have the queen.

[rayb]

Thanks, I felt pretty good that if they were staying in the box for all that time then we had her. They are now happy in their new box, doing a lot of orientation flying and taking the sugar water.

Thanks again, Ray

[Highlandsfreedom]

congrats on your catch

[bhoeschcod]

Congrats on the catch  :-D

[rayb]

Thanks,

I now have to sign up for the Bee Keepers Anonymous 12 step program for hive accumulation!!! My hive count just seems to mysteriously increase.

Ray

[EasternShore]

Way to go RayB...ain't life GREAT????

I got a local couple into to Bees last week with a swarm that arrived on their property. They're like proud parents! Yesterday we opened up the hive and found Their queen and observed the building progress. No brood yet but the girls are storeing and capping honey and pollen at an amazing rate. I'm tempted to bring a frame of brood out for them but feel they should be left au' natural.
It's such a joy to see new beeks faces and the excitement of their new first hive.