finally swarm season

danno · June 07, 2011, 04:42:21 PM

Swarms in may are worth? Well nothing because they just hung around shivering. This year a swarm in june is worth a load of hay. I had 4 swarms in the last few weeks but they came from colonies wintered in florida. In the last couple of days I lost one for sure but trapped 3. Still have about a doz traps hanging. I'm running low on equipment.

AllenF · June 07, 2011, 05:06:35 PM

Build more. :-D

schawee · June 07, 2011, 05:12:37 PM

build plenty more :-D ...schawee

Larry Bees · June 07, 2011, 10:53:38 PM

Anybody have a picture of what one of these "traps" look like? Larry

AllenF · June 07, 2011, 11:05:46 PM

Any old box will work. I mean any and old. I like cheap 5 frame nucs. Drew's plans are good and cheap to build here on the site. Put old frames in there. Old wax and lemongrass oil for bait.

Larry Bees · June 07, 2011, 11:11:17 PM

OK, Thanks!

I thought when they said that they were hanging, that maybe they were something other than a 5 frame nuc.

Larry

danno · June 08, 2011, 08:50:19 AM

Quote from: AllenF on June 07, 2011, 05:06:35 PM
Build more. :-D

I bought a 50 box skid of deeps from Kelly that are assembled but still need paint and frames. I also rotate boxes out that need paint and repairs and have about 15 of these now with no frames because I stuffed them in swarm traps. My colony count is about 45 right now so I have another 85 to 90 deeps in use. What I really need is time. Shook another swarm yesterday off the side of a chimney

CapnChkn · June 08, 2011, 01:53:32 PM

This is basically overkill, but I did catch one swarm in one of these this year. The Camo paintjob is to place them in trees and "hide" them from vandals. I find it makes the boxes very hot in the sun. The wooden gadget is a cover for a vent hole, 3/4 inches. I suspended them in trees, with line to stabilize lateral movement (keep them from swinging around.)

danno · June 09, 2011, 03:13:51 PM

I caught swarm #9 last yesterday

danno · June 14, 2011, 10:30:57 AM

2 more swarms this weekend. One in a trap and one shook. That make 11

AllenF · June 14, 2011, 05:25:19 PM

Sweet.

njoylife10 · June 14, 2011, 06:15:30 PM

Dang!....You go!

njoylife10 <-----jealous

joebrown · June 14, 2011, 07:03:03 PM

Quote from: danno on June 14, 2011, 10:30:57 AM
2 more swarms this weekend. One in a trap and one shook. That make 11

No offense, but I hate you now!! :-D Honey or no honey, that makes for a fun and exciting spring.

danno · June 15, 2011, 08:49:45 AM

cant remember how to post pics. I have a bunch

tefer2 · June 15, 2011, 03:02:25 PM

I can't keep up with tops, frames, and bottoms. Still have plenty of boxes to use. I don't know what brought all these local swarms on this year. I don't have any spare time to work my day job.

danno · June 15, 2011, 03:39:07 PM

Hey Terry
Although I still have about 40 new deep boxes in the honey house I still dont have frames for them and they still need a coat of paint. I dont have a single extra frame right now. Friend of mine called me at lunch. He just recieved a order for 20 more queens from Olivarez but they screwed up and sent him 40. I couldnt take any off his hands because of lack of equipment.

AllenF · June 15, 2011, 06:24:14 PM

Frames can be bought.

skflyfish · June 15, 2011, 09:14:31 PM

Danno,

I think I have 20 new frames and foundation you can borrow, if you get in a pinch. I have a lot of used stuff, but most wouldn't want to use others used stuff.

We could meet in Crystal Valley or Ruby Creek.

Anyhow the offer is open, if you need it.

Jay

AllenF · June 15, 2011, 10:20:05 PM

Maybe trading swarms for frames? :-D

tefer2 · June 15, 2011, 11:34:00 PM

I used most of my extra frames for splits this spring followed by stocking up my mating nucs. I had not planned on more than a couple of swarms like last year. There could be a bunch of bees parked close to me coming out of blue berries. I have two frame jigs so I'll be building 20 a night for a while