Swarm Cells

[GSF]

I've started going through my hives searching for swarm cells. And by the way, I'm finding them. Not emergency cups but peanuts down on the bottom of the frames. I'm directing this questions to the Southern Beeks because I don't think the Northern Beek's hives are at stage two. Has anyone else been running across a large number of swarm cells?

Two of the six hives I've been through were queen less and the other four had queens and swarm cells. I pulled the queens and made splits. I have 3 more hives to go through. I'm pulling down my swarm traps and making 5 frame nucs with top feeders. Are yall seeing a lot of cells? Two of the queens I pulled had slimmed down.

[RHBee]

Gary,
I haven't been in my hives in a couple of weeks. I try to stay out of them when there is a flow. This time of year the only causes for QC are crowding and supersedeure, as far as I know. Never heard or read about a second swarm impulse season.
Ray

[10framer]

yeah, it's late for swarms down this way.  the best of the flows are behind us.  some years you'll get a decent sumac flow and in the fall possibly a goldenrod flow (i had an amazing one last fall).  the latest swarm i ever caught was on june 1st.

[Joe D]

Gary its been a couple of week since I have gone through mine also.  Didn't notice any then, I think it was last weekend I got to put the supers I had slung out back on.  Some had almost another super ready to go.  We have Sumac, popcorn, some sourwood, and wild flowers in bloom now.  Good luck to yuall




Joe

[GSF]

I see what yall are saying about it being late in the season. However, I suspect that in the last two weeks one of the queen less hives may have swarmed. Population down quickly and no queen.

[dprater]

Caught a swarm in my yard today, probably mine because I also don't like to go into my hives when the flow is on either.  Maybe I'm getting lazy (year #3) but I dont worry to much about swarming now the flow is over and if they swarm it gives them a brood break and that helps the V-mites. So what is the down side in having them swarm now especially if you catch them?

dan

[GSF]

Dan; on my part the downside is I'm still trying to build up my apiary. I figured they still swarmed this time of year because of the swarm cells I've been finding. I'm still trying to get a better grip on this beekeeping thing   :yippiechick: