I just caught my first two swarms!!!

Started by Blackbird, May 08, 2005, 06:23:12 PM

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Blackbird

They were both on the same property. One was basicly on the ground in a low shrub and the other was up in a tree. I got stung. It was really fun.  :D

Now I have 4 hives and I need to get some more equiptment in a hurry.

How can I combine one of these swarms with an existing hive?

Stacie

Apis629

To get the swarm into a hive the newspaper meathod usually works well.  Just put the swarm inside a super aove the broodnest and sperate the swarm from the bees in the hive with a newspaper.  The newspaper should have a few staple-sized holes in it to let the scents of the colonies mingle.  You can either find the queen in the swarm and kill her first or leave here with the swarm and let the queens fight, the stronger one will win.I've heard of this technique having great success.  Hope this helps.

latebee

I have used the newspaper method to combine a weak colony with a strong one and it works every time. I have never tried it by  combining a fresh swarm  with an established hive but it should also work.
The person who walks in another's tracks leaves NO footprints.