Shaker Box Used

[sc-bee]

I had a couple of queens to install. I was able to find one queen and made a split with her a couple days ago. The second hive I could not find the queen. So I wanted to try the method of moving some brood above an excluder and come back and gather the frames of nurse bees and frames later. Well when I went back to my surprise there were very few bees on the brood combs. Guess why...... I flubbed it. I did not remember I needed to move some open brood above the excluder and the frames I moved were totally capped. Very few bees joined the brood frames above the excluder. Some but not enough. Next time I will remember to move some open brood.

So I made about three passes on the frames and could not find her. As I began to scratch my head and grumble, I remembered the excluder in the truck. So I made a shaker box and figured I would give it an attempt as I had read about it but not tried it. There was a learning curve and still is, but with about three frames left...... there she was. Big fat dark queen lying on top of the excluder. Overall I was pleased with the process but I need some refining. As you noticed I said I need some refining.

Some things I need to learn or perfect with the method:
1) I run one deep and shallows. I have not thought it thru real well and someone can probably help as I think it out load. I had no frames in the bottom box for the shook bees to cluster on as I run one deep and the deep combs are what I needed to search/shake. I shook a few frames and then removed the excluder and placed a couple of the shook frames below the excluder for the shaken bees to cluster on. This seemed to hold them better. Maybe I could have palced a honey super below the excluder to shake them into and hold them on? Or maybe it is not as critical as I think.

2) I did not place the duct tape around the top of the shaker box as suggested to help keep the bees from boiling out. I will tape a box and next time I will be ready. I was a little rushed today because the two day storm was moving in and I wanted the queens in place.

Ok..... have you used this method. Help me with any thoughts as I had just worked off night shift this morning and even on a good day my thinker ain't as good as it used to be :-D

Thanks
Steve

[tefer2]

Steve, we like two lines of duct tape next to each other. They don't like to crawl on it. :idunno:

[sc-bee]

Steve, we like two lines of duct tapenext to each other. They don't like to crawl on it. :idunno:

Do you shake to an empty box? If not do you see a problem with it? Thanks for the tape hint.

[tefer2]

I think it helps to have some comb under them.