Hello newb questions

[float8er]

Hi there,
i'm an incidental keeper. Seemed cheaper to box em, than remove them.
1st year piqued my interest, 2nd year captured 4 swarms
and this my 3rd year- i've boxed 3 swarms this week! What a cool buzzrush.

But I still havent learned what I ought to.
And have all kinds questions popping up. If anyone would be kind enough to answer them, this is my preferred method of learning- trial and error followed by Q&A : ) I feel like i've learned directly and with the bees, now I need to know 'stuff'. lol

So here goes if there's any takers.
Do new swarms regularly split? swarm?
I think my bees have plenty of space, would they still allow new queens out and what are the chances i've attracted new swarms or just caught my old ones leaving? And if so, are they most likely the old queen leaving or the new mated one?
Do existing bees 'interact' with new swarms?
Like, do the new ones ever try and check out the existing hives when theyre swarming..or do existing bees get defensive?
I had a big concrete lure hive with lemon grass scent constructed near where the bees gathered..but I wonder why they didnt collect straight inside the object.Would it being cold and dark dissuade them?

Is it ok to let small swarms start in large 10 frame boxes?

If Burr comb with brood is laid inside cardboard box lures, whats the best way to transfer wild brood comb?

How close is too close for different hives?
These are various swarms caught wild and locally. I don't think they necessarily get along:S

Do bees get messy? untidy? I thought they were meant to keep areal clean space.. but my hives often have crap all over and inside.

Do bees just naturally swarm each spring? Even if they have enough space? What else to understand about this?

that's all i can remember for now.. lol.. many thanks
im loving bees and nature and spring an abundance and flowers.

:)

[T Beek]

Hard to answer w/out knowing where you are.

Swarms will split/swarm when they want to reproduce.

Old Queens leave with swarms leaving original colony to raise another

Sure, bees from different colonies interact w/ each other all the time

A 10 frame deep is perfect for housing a swarm

Transferring brood comb, just do it (bring some alcohol in a spray bottle for hand clean up)

Bees have their own agenda, some make more messes than others (but they know what they're doing) Crap inside and outside indicates disease, likely nosema.  You'll want to get it under control before winter

Bees will swarm at all different times but mostly Spring and early summer as a means to reproduce (its as natural as a bee can get :-D).  There's been books written on the subject so there's MUCH to learn, especially if you want to prevent swarming.  

Q;  What's an incidental beekeeper?

thomas

[Michael Bush]

>Do new swarms regularly split? swarm?

It usually takes them a year to build up to that point.

>I think my bees have plenty of space, would they still allow new queens out and what are the chances i've attracted new swarms or just caught my old ones leaving?

Does it matter?

> And if so, are they most likely the old queen leaving or the new mated one?

The old queen leaves with the first swarm.  Subsequent swarms have virgins.

>Do existing bees 'interact' with new swarms?

Not sure what you mean.  All bees interact with other bees to some degree.  Swarms often get confused and join an existing colony or more then one swarm merges.  Swarming is a very disoriented time for bees.

>Like, do the new ones ever try and check out the existing hives when theyre swarming..or do existing bees get defensive?

I have seen a swarm move into an occupied hive.  I've seen it look pretty peaceable and I've seen it break out in fighting.  But it's not a common occurrence.  Common enough I've seen it more than once, but not the norm.

>I had a big concrete lure hive with lemon grass scent constructed near where the bees gathered..but I wonder why they didnt collect straight inside the object.Would it being cold and dark dissuade them?

They will move into concrete if there is no suitable structure of wood, but they seem to prefer wood.  They also prefer dark.

>Is it ok to let small swarms start in large 10 frame boxes?

It's ok.  They may do better in a smaller box.

>If Burr comb with brood is laid inside cardboard box lures, whats the best way to transfer wild brood comb?

Cut and tie.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm#removal

>How close is too close for different hives?

Mine are all touching...

>These are various swarms caught wild and locally. I don't think they necessarily get along

Any hive will rob another if there is a dearth and they can pull it off.

>Do bees get messy? untidy? I thought they were meant to keep areal clean space.. but my hives often have crap all over and inside.

How clean a hive is depends on the available work force and the priorities of the work.  It varies throughout the year and at different populations.

>Do bees just naturally swarm each spring?

That is their plan.

>Even if they have enough space?

Yes.

>What else to understand about this?

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

that's all i can remember for now.. lol.. many thanks
im loving bees and nature and spring an abundance and flowers.

[float8er]

Many thanks guys..


Im 'incidental', in that the incident of bees swarming in my yard from the telegraph pole out back-
stimulated research and rekindled motivation to buy gear rather than pay removal : )

I'm in South East Australia.

re: interaction
Both these last swarms seemed to have something to do with my existing hives. Which is why I asked. I figured they were from them, highly curious in them, or that my existing hives were sending out strong 'f-off' signals. lol
Im excited to hope that i've caught 3 new swarms rather than have my old ones go on their reproductive swarming. Though im dubious.

They make a different buzz when theyre 'getting used to their new space'.
Theyre flying around checking things out.. but their buzz borders on angry. Is this the queenless roar ?(i would doubt the swarm would be as large as this without a queen(?)   

Can anyone else seem to get a 'feel' for different bees? eg, they know that these bees don't know them yet.. or haven't smelt them? That theyre a new swarm, rather than an existing one? Forgvie me if im talking rubbish.

Is 5 hives too many to have in suburbia?
Luckily they're lined inbetween thick bushes, and a brick wall by the side of some open, unused parkland. And will they be likely to leave, if theres too much competition?

Thanks some more : )

[Michael Bush]

>They make a different buzz when theyre 'getting used to their new space'.

Their behavior from when they move into a new place to when things get into the routine of a colony varies as they make decisions.  Sometimes they cluster on one corner or another and seem to do nothing for a while.  Sometimes as long as 24 to 48 hours.  Then suddenly they will start working with a purpose with bees flying out to forage and bees building comb etc.  During these "organizational meetings' the hum of the hive seems to change over time, almost like they are communicating with the hum.  Sometimes there are other sounds, clicking, chewing.  If they are queenless, a roar.  An established hive makes different sounds when preparing to swarm.  More of a warble compared to a constant hum.

>Theyre flying around checking things out.. but their buzz borders on angry. Is this the queenless roar ?(i would doubt the swarm would be as large as this without a queen(?)   

I seriously doubt they would stay without a queen.

>Can anyone else seem to get a 'feel' for different bees? eg, they know that these bees don't know them yet.. or haven't smelt them? That theyre a new swarm, rather than an existing one? Forgvie me if im talking rubbish.

Bees from one hive can tell strangers.  I think mostly by action more than smell.  A stranger either comes in humble and they will let them in, or arrogant like robbers and they will repel them.

>Is 5 hives too many to have in suburbia?

If they are booming and grouchy and you have a small yard, yes.  If they are calm and one or two are getting built up, no.

>Luckily they're lined inbetween thick bushes, and a brick wall by the side of some open, unused parkland. And will they be likely to leave, if theres too much competition?

20 hives would probably not be too much competition.