Swarms and Colony Collections

Pete · September 12, 2010, 08:06:42 PM

Collected my first wild hive this weekend and knocked back another and I hope to get plenty of calls for swarms. I have an acre and can legally fit 10 hives, i now have 2.

Not sure if i actually want 10 hives at home, so i was wondering what everyone does with swarms and colonies they catch? Should we be stock piling them for the northerners after the locust plague? Do you sell em, or find land to keep them? I might be able to store a few at some rellies with 20 acres nearby but how many can you realistic manage as a hobby?

harvey · September 12, 2010, 09:40:21 PM

I started with one, then as everyone tells you that you need at least two this spring I bought two packages then caught four swarms, I now have seven hives and the swarms are by far the best. I built five swarm traps (bait hives), they worked real well this year. Next year I plan to build enough boxes to got 15 hives. I am going to put all of them next year in to mediums verses deeps. I have no problem manages these seven and figure another eight will be not much more time. Why? Not realy sure. I do love honey and love giving it as gifts. Others sure love getting it too! After 15 hives then where do I go? 20, 25? Start selling nucs? Don't know right now but will tell ya in a couple of years. Have fun.

OzBuzz · September 12, 2010, 09:54:09 PM

Quote from: Pete on September 12, 2010, 08:06:42 PM

Not sure if i actually want 10 hives at home, so i was wondering what everyone does with swarms and colonies they catch? Should we be stock piling them for the northerners after the locust plague? Do you sell em, or find land to keep them? I might be able to store a few at some rellies with 20 acres nearby but how many can you realistic manage as a hobby?

I reckon after the spraying that will be undertaken for the locusts a lot of feral hives will be wiped out - i can see a heavy reliance on commercial pollnation services next year

Meadlover · September 13, 2010, 10:22:02 PM

Congrats on getting your first swarm! Great feeling isn't it :-D

I started by being given 2 hives - 1 got smashed by SHB and they absconded.
Now have 6 hives thanks to trapouts and Slicko, 7 if my current trapout is successful.

5 swarm calls so far in the last 2 weeks so should be a good swarm season - still haven't set my swarm traps yet

I have pretty much run out of boxes so anymore I get I am giving to a mate who lives in Stanthorpe and is after some bees. After that I'm not sure what I will do with them - probably start with using them to boost my hives I guess.

ML

OzBuzz · September 13, 2010, 11:27:25 PM

Quote from: Meadlover on September 13, 2010, 10:22:02 PM

I have pretty much run out of boxes so anymore I get I am giving to a mate who lives in Stanthorpe and is after some bees. After that I'm not sure what I will do with them - probably start with using them to boost my hives I guess.

ML

Why not make up some cheap and easy plywood nucleus boxes? they work a treat!

philinacoma · September 13, 2010, 11:31:51 PM

I may end up having to make som eup too...

As to where mine go, mostly beginners.

Meadlover · September 14, 2010, 12:10:33 AM

Quote from: OzBuzz on September 13, 2010, 11:27:25 PM
Quote from: Meadlover on September 13, 2010, 10:22:02 PM

I have pretty much run out of boxes so anymore I get I am giving to a mate who lives in Stanthorpe and is after some bees. After that I'm not sure what I will do with them - probably start with using them to boost my hives I guess.

ML

Why not make up some cheap and easy plywood nucleus boxes? they work a treat!

If I can find some cheap/free plywood that is exactly what I will be doing!

ML

OzBuzz · September 14, 2010, 12:16:15 AM

So far i have made up five boxes with free plywood and i got enough plywood from a family friend (who lays timber floors) to make about ten more... it's worth a shot to call people and ask - even carpenters - what's the worst thing they can say?

Meadlover · September 14, 2010, 12:52:14 AM

Your a champion Ozbuzz - a mate's brother makes wooden floors for a living! :lol:
Should be catching up with him this weekend - will suss it out :-D

ML

Pete · September 15, 2010, 07:29:55 PM

Something to consider for those of us getting established feral hives. I went to my bee mentor last night who told me they had seen Foul Brood in established hives in Mordialloc. She reminded me to be very careful bringing feral hives back to my own bee yard.

It makes sense to deliberately look for Foul Brood and really try to quarantine where possible before exposing the ferals to your own bees. there is a testing service avilable via the DPI if you suspect it and every single instance must be reported.

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes/agg/animal-health/ag1145-afb-smart--helping-to-detect-american-foulbrood

westmar · September 15, 2010, 08:46:50 PM

hi
it a good idea the gear you used on cut outs.not to be used in every day apiary work with out been cleaned properly.nuc box's or hive body's used for the job cleaned,gloves,hive tool good way to spread disease.good idea have gear separate.

philinacoma · September 15, 2010, 10:07:15 PM

Quote from: westmar on September 15, 2010, 08:46:50 PM
hi
it a good idea the gear you used on cut outs.not to be used in every day apiary work with out been cleaned properly.nuc box's or hive body's used for the job cleaned,gloves,hive tool good way to spread disease.good idea have gear separate.

That makes a lot of sense. I think I'll go that way too and have a special cut out/swarm set of gear. Thanks Westmar.

OzBuzz · September 16, 2010, 02:36:01 AM

I'm with you guys on that one! i'm going to make sure that i clean everything really well with either heat (naked flame) or alcohol/sodium hypochlorite - even swarms can carry AFB spores...

westmar · September 16, 2010, 08:02:43 PM

hi
with the cut outs are u seeing any hive beetle,hive i went to up in miles last summar was loaded with them.the beetle was still active this winter her.year before they disappeared.metho is good one to have in your tool kit use on hive tool pour little on light it .keep The bugs off.just be carefull.

AllenF · September 16, 2010, 08:06:28 PM

Metho for hive beetle?

OzBuzz · September 16, 2010, 08:24:49 PM

Quote from: AllenF on September 16, 2010, 08:06:28 PM
Metho for hive beetle?

I think he meant metho for sterilising your equipment - pour it on your hive tool and then light it up! just don't get it on your hands and then light it up :)

AllenF · September 16, 2010, 08:29:49 PM

Up here, they use Clorox wipes to clean the tools between hives to stop disease.

philinacoma · September 16, 2010, 08:42:24 PM

Quote from: AllenF on September 16, 2010, 08:29:49 PM
Up here, they use Clorox wipes to clean the tools between hives to stop disease.

Has anyone seen anything like these clorox wipes in Oz?

AllenF · September 16, 2010, 09:01:46 PM

More info http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=187984&pid=Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=201282

OzBuzz · September 16, 2010, 10:01:34 PM

Quote from: philinacoma on September 16, 2010, 08:42:24 PM
Quote from: AllenF on September 16, 2010, 08:29:49 PM
Up here, they use Clorox wipes to clean the tools between hives to stop disease.

Has anyone seen anything like these clorox wipes in Oz?

There's heaps of alternatives to Clorox wipes...

Wipes are fine if you leave it for a minimum of 15mins between wiping and re-using... the metho/flaming method would be instantaneous - even putting your hive tool in your smoker would work