Bees partying in swarm, bait, box

CapnChkn · May 13, 2011, 01:22:09 PM

I have a bait hive I had, had setup next to an easement. With all the rains we've been having I couldn't get to it over the water. I took it down first chance I got and set it up close to my beeyard, so I could see when scouts were checking things out.

Right after I set the thing up I saw a dozen bees at one time. "Hmmm" I'm thinking, "I bet I've caught a swarm!" I go to the box at dusk and tap on it to see if I get a reaction and 3 guards poke their heads out and look. Alright! I got another swarm! The next day they were gone.

Ok, false alarm. But the day after, I have bees coming and going like they have moved in again! This time I got the camera and made a little video. It's in .swf, the same format you get online flash games in, so you will be able to see it in the browser.

http://www.captainchicken.com/pictures/DSCF3130.swf

I've looked at the other traps I've set out and there was nothing like this. I have the occasional scout, maybe 3, that seem all excited around the entrances. I watched the box all day yesterday and there was a visitation by about a dozen for around a half an hour. I went back at dusk and there was no activity. Can anyone explain this bee-havior?

forrestcav · May 13, 2011, 01:54:37 PM

Crack house, frat house, mead party, local gang anger bees hanging out?

wd · May 13, 2011, 02:33:20 PM

obviously they're checking it out. I'd fill it with frames and give it a week or two and watch with out disruption. if they want it they'll take it in their time.

sterling · May 13, 2011, 02:47:12 PM

I have two near my hives that the bees do that some times, they act like it is an active hive but the next day nothing going on around them.

Midwest WI · May 13, 2011, 05:17:08 PM

Some of my swarm traps near my little bee yard have the same type of activity.

What do you have in the hive? Used frames? Attractant of some type?

I had to remove one of my swarm traps near a hive because the bees would come like that, maybe 100-200 bees at a time, and then not leave at night to go back to their main hive.

I almost wonder if the lemongrass oil attractant is overwhelming their senses in my swarm trap???

Jim134 · May 13, 2011, 07:20:36 PM

CapnChkn.....

How far is you'r swarm trap from you'r hives :? in yds. 100,200,1000 :?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

CapnChkn · May 13, 2011, 08:40:10 PM

This particular trap is about 50 ft from the hives.

Edit Oh! I didn't see your post there Midwest WI! This is a swarm trap someone gave me, I modified it a little, and put 3 frames in, using the other frames of the eight in another box. One is plastic, one wax foundation, and the third is drawn, but not dark, and moldy comb. I use about 6-8 drops of LGO on a cotton ball and sealed in a ziploc type sandwich baggie set close to the entrance.

That they do, they get all excited and seem to camp out in that box. I came back the other morning after one of these sessions thinking I had surely captured a swarm only to see them disappear in about 15 minutes.

forrestcav · May 13, 2011, 09:25:17 PM

so its an LGO party. Told you it was a crack house. Bee crack. :mrgreen:

Jim134 · May 13, 2011, 09:55:11 PM

Quote from: Jim 134 on May 13, 2011, 07:20:36 PM
CapnChkn.....

How far is you'r swarm trap from you'r hives :? in yds. 100,200,1000 :?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Quote from: CapnChkn on May 13, 2011, 08:40:10 PM
This particular trap is about 50 ft from the hives.

All the books and studyer I have read on this say 400 to 500 yds. is the best.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Michael Bush · May 13, 2011, 11:14:50 PM

As you opened it they were probably saying "WOW! this place is awesome, let move in..... WHOH!!!! what was THAT!!!! Let's get out of here!

CapnChkn · May 14, 2011, 12:32:00 AM

Michael - actually the impression I got when I tapped on the hive and the guards came out was more like a housewife wearing her housecoat, hair in curlers, and hadn't had her coffee yet.

forrestcav · May 14, 2011, 12:15:19 PM

Does your wife know your posting pics of her again?? :-D

Brian D. Bray · May 16, 2011, 05:00:03 PM

They are checking it out.
I would say you've used an excessive dose in your lure.
You've got plenty of lure to get them but maybe too much to keep them there.
Once enough bees from the same hive have come to a consensus about the acceptability of the nuc as a new home you'll see a swarm move in.
If you want a swarm get rid of the plastic frame unless it is the one with drawn comb.
A nuc filled with frames works better than one with only a few frames.
If you see a small number of bees staying at the nuc, guarding the entrance, then a swarm arrival is imminent.

CapnChkn · May 16, 2011, 11:45:27 PM

Thank you Brian!

I can't remember which frame is which, I took frames out to put in a nuc. I also can't remember what the dose of LGO was, I'm sure it's not more than six drops, but I might have dribbled a few drops on the top bars. I haven't seen any activity, but we've had an unusual cold snap; the temps have been in the 50's all week.

Like I told Michael, there were guards that first day, I was sure I caught one. In the morning, nobody home. :idunno: I yam a'hopin for good luck when the weather warms up.

CapnChkn · May 31, 2011, 12:36:44 PM

Update:

I took the bait hive down. It warmed up, I was sure I had a swarm in there as there was activity for 4 solid days, there were guards coming to the entrance just before it was too dark to see, and in the morning as well. When I got the box down and opened up, there were 3, THREE, count them One, Two, Three bees in there.

I need to paint "The Crib" on the outside and throw trash around.

forrestcav · May 31, 2011, 04:11:49 PM

don't forget the pimped coupe deville with 22" wheels and thumping sound system.

SerenaSYH · June 01, 2011, 03:04:43 AM

I was halfway ooo-ooing, fantasizing and lurking for ideas of luuuuuuring a real beehive to my yard, and halfway on my ass ROFL. Hehe, what a fun read...