How to reduce absconding with a captured swarm?

Started by Grandma_DOG, May 26, 2010, 09:07:06 PM

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Grandma_DOG

May 26, 2010, 09:07:06 PM
I almost cried today.   :(

I captured two swarms over the weekend. One was the smallest of the season at under a lb, the other was the largest at about 8-10 lb. Today the big honking swarm absconded. They built 30 sq inches of comb but left it. No eggs.

I thought i had a good routine for swarms:


  • 1. House in a 40 liter space or larger.
  • 2. Put a drop of Lemon Grass Oil in the hive
  • 3. Feed Immediately.


On cutouts, I also plug them up for 48 hours to reduce absconding. Should I now do that for swarms as well?
Here is my new book on Swarm Trapping at http://learningbeekeeping.com/beekeeping-articles/how-to-swarm-trap/ and follow me on youtube at OutOfaBlueSky

Kathyp

#1
May 26, 2010, 09:14:23 PM
it happens.  the only other thing you could have done is put an excluder between the bottom box and the bottom board.  i will confess that i often (today) forget to do that.  they do their thing.  sometimes it's not our thing.

also...are you sure you got the queens?
The people the people are the rightful masters of both congresses and courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham  Lincoln
Speech in Kansas, December 1859

asprince

#2
May 26, 2010, 09:17:45 PM
A frame of brood should anchor them. Works for me.

Steve
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resembalance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

AllenF

#3
May 26, 2010, 09:40:23 PM
With that huge swarm, do think there was a queen, or maybe there are a lot of AHB genetics in that swarm?  They do move around a lot.

Jim134

#4
May 26, 2010, 11:07:20 PM Last Edit: May 27, 2010, 06:52:08 AM by Jim 134
Quote from: asprince on May 26, 2010, 09:17:45 PM
a frame of brood should anchor them. Works for me.

Steve


Use unsealed brood for and anchor.


   BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
        Chinese Proverb

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
John F. Kennedy
Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/

Jim134

#5
May 26, 2010, 11:32:23 PM
Quote from: kathyp on May 26, 2010, 09:14:23 PM
 the only other thing you could have done is put an excluder between the bottom box and the bottom board.  

If you do this take the excluder out in 2 or 3 days.


    BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
        Chinese Proverb

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
John F. Kennedy
Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/

Kathyp

#6
May 26, 2010, 11:35:09 PM
oh yeah....thanks.  didn't mean leave it on forever.  :-)
The people the people are the rightful masters of both congresses and courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham  Lincoln
Speech in Kansas, December 1859

D Coates

#7
May 27, 2010, 05:04:18 PM
Never lost a swarm when I've put a frame of brood in there.  I do it everytime and recommend it to everyone who'll listen.
Ninja, is not in the dictionary.  Well played Ninja's, well played...

bud1

#8
May 29, 2010, 10:54:39 AM
cage or clip queen;they leave brood here ; tried it bunch here and just wasted brood, even leave own brood, cage queen for a coupla days and they usually stay
to bee or not to bee

marksmith

#9
May 29, 2010, 01:04:08 PM
How the world does a person find a queen among 3 gallons of bees?
Mark Smith - Elkton, OR

AllenF

#10
May 29, 2010, 01:14:50 PM
She is the one on the throne.


Or take your time and look, look, look.

Jim134

#11
May 29, 2010, 05:01:30 PM
Quote from: marksmith on May 29, 2010, 01:04:08 PM
How the world does a person find a queen among 3 gallons of bees?

  In a big swarm you may find more then 1 queen


           BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
        Chinese Proverb

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
John F. Kennedy
Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/

bud1

#12
May 29, 2010, 06:31:51 PM
i have spent at least an hour befor i could get my fingers on her a few times
to bee or not to bee
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