Hello from 48.3/-122.7

Zeevah · September 01, 2011, 09:47:31 PM

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for awhile (very interesting posts!) and finally joined. Then....I just realized I need to actually post something so the Mods will know I'm not a spambot and won't delete me :-D

So......Hello! :)

Oh, I forgot to say.....I am really, really good (an absolute expert!!!!) at managing to lose Every. Single. Swarm. from Every. Hive. I. Have.

specialkayme · September 01, 2011, 09:59:02 PM

Welcome to the site!

I'm so glad you aren't a spambot, lol.

Swarm prevention is a difficult area to master. Trust me, I know. Personally I found Snelgrove's book helpful (http://www.amazon.com/Swarming-Control-Prevention-L-Snelgrove/dp/0905652398/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1314925057&sr=8-12) although it is very difficult to find. I was able to get a 15th edition for a few bucks, but I can't remember where.

Others find it easier just to put up swarm traps, although you do lose a significant amount of your honey production.

Larry Bees · September 01, 2011, 10:30:16 PM

Welcome!

I caught two swarms last year and one just packed up and left and the other lost its queen and eventually died out.

Larry

Zeevah · September 01, 2011, 11:58:12 PM

Thanks specialkayme and Larry Bees, now I don't feel quite as stooopid.

I'm sure I still look stooopid, running around trying to catch swarms I do happen to see leave the hive (I have at home). My other hives are in out yards. And I know the bees are secretly plotting behind my back, to make sure they annoyingly decide to leave when I'm not around. They also totally ignore the bait hives I set out.....

Also, this is a very (very!) rainy cool northern island. I didn't expect them to swarm while it was still rainy/overcast, etc. Plus, none of the hives were even close to being crowded or honey bound.

It's just hard to lose half your bees and honey.....

Next time, they're all going to be grounded until their 18th birthday. And no TV!

specialkayme · September 02, 2011, 09:51:12 AM

Quote from: Zeevah on September 01, 2011, 11:58:12 PM
They also totally ignore the bait hives I set out.....

Consider getting some good swarm lures, putting in the bait hives really old (almost black) comb, and reading up on the size and placement of the bait hives. There is a little bit of finesse to it. It can't be too high, too low, too warm, too cold . . . you get the idea. But give it a little time and you can have it down pat.

AllenF · September 02, 2011, 05:54:24 PM

Welcome to the forum.

lenape13 · September 02, 2011, 10:22:10 PM

Welcome to the forum. I find standing in the middle of a swarm to be quite exciting, until you realize, "Wait!!! Don't leave me, come back home!"

We've all been there. Most of my hives are from swarms that I have retrieved, some from my hives, some from feral hives. Embrace the challenge, and have fun!