Is it possible to have 3 hives swarm 5 times in 5 weeks?

Started by handymandave, June 01, 2010, 07:30:09 PM

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handymandave

June 01, 2010, 07:30:09 PM
We have had 5 large (basketball size) swarms appear in fruit trees within 100 feet of our hives over that last 5 weeks. (Two have appeared in the last 3 days.)
We came through the winter with 3 strong hives, hence my question. Is it possible to have 3 hives swarm 5 times in 5 weeks? (We are sure 3 of the swarms were ours.)
We are in the heart of a city with 50,000 people. The hives are on fenced ground behind my workshop in a very urban neighborhood.) We have just harvested 60# out of two of the hives wih many more frames over 80% capped. I can't imagine we have had so many swarms from our hives. (They all had room to lay and plenty of food.)
Is it possible they are all ours or are there wild hives swarming into our trees??

beedad

#1
June 01, 2010, 08:34:19 PM
Does it look like your hives are running a skeleton crew now?  Bees are crazy and could have had a couple after swarms.

manfre

#2
June 01, 2010, 10:24:11 PM
Two of my hives swarmed 5 times in under 3 weeks.
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iddee

#3
June 01, 2010, 11:29:05 PM
I split a hive to keep it from swarming. I then caught 4 swarms from it. The main hive still produced honey that year. Six hives and one super of honey from one overwintered hive. That hive is in it's ninth season this year and I just pulled 3 mediums of honey off it last week. It has never been treated with anything for mites.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

*Shel Silverstein*

riverrat

#4
June 01, 2010, 11:57:31 PM
Quote from: iddee on June 01, 2010, 11:29:05 PM
I split a hive to keep it from swarming. I then caught 4 swarms from it. The main hive still produced honey that year. Six hives and one super of honey from one overwintered hive. That hive is in it's ninth season this year and I just pulled 3 mediums of honey off it last week. It has never been treated with anything for mites.

a hive that swarms that many times and produces that much honey is to much work for a old guy like you. i better come get it so you can take a break :-D
never take the top off a hive on a day that you wouldn't want the roof taken off your house

iddee

#5
June 02, 2010, 12:10:04 AM
You make the trip and I'll give you one from those genetics.

Now the ball is in your court.  :D
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

*Shel Silverstein*

Two Bees

#6
June 02, 2010, 09:11:36 AM
Similar to Manfre and Iddee, I had two strong hives last year that swarmed 5 times in 12 days!  I have only had two swarms this year from 6 hives.
"Don't know what I'd do without that boy......but I'm sure willin' to give it a try!"
J.D. Clampett commenting about Jethro Bodine.
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