Late swarm

NeilTheCop · August 06, 2015, 01:09:41 PM

When I first started beekeeping I built a Warre hive. Nice experiment but I didn't much like the crush and strain method of harvesting so I put the hive to one side and forgot about it. While in my yard yesterday it looks like a swarm has found a new home. I say swarm because there were about 10 or 20 bees in and out of the entrance.
My question to the forum is, when would you consider a hive fully occupied and ready to move (It's in a terrible location and I don't want the bees to get used to the location)?
One other thing, has anyone ever wire tied the top bars of a Warre hive to a Lang medium frame. The top bars are only about 14" long and will fit nicely under the top bar of the Lang frame?

mikecva · August 06, 2015, 02:39:12 PM

A swarm is usually several thousand bees. 10-20 might be robbers or scouts. You will love it when you see your first swarm. I still, after 50 years, enjoy watching swarms especially if they are not from my hives. -Mike

Dallasbeek · August 06, 2015, 02:49:21 PM

There's no reason you can't fasten a warre top bar to a Lang frame, but why not cut comb from it and use rubber bands to fasten to Langstroth frame? The bees will attach it and chew the rubber bands off. Seems simpler to me.

If the bees you saw are scouts, hope the other scouts like it, too. Nothing like having a swarm just move in instead of having to work to get them there. Leave it in place. If they make it home, you can move it later. If you move it now, they may not like it as much.

NeilTheCop · August 06, 2015, 05:05:06 PM

Thanks for the replies. I may just put a medium lang baited with frames of drawn comb and lemon grass oil next to it, and hope they consider it an upgrade to the Warre and move in

Dallasbeek · August 06, 2015, 05:09:59 PM

Good plan. "Drawn comb? Check. Good size? Check. Smells good? Check. Looks like hoe to me."

Now if they think like they're supposed to....

BeeMaster2 · August 11, 2015, 12:25:51 PM

Quote from: mikecva on August 06, 2015, 02:39:12 PM
A swarm is usually several thousand bees. 10-20 might be robbers or scouts. You will love it when you see your first swarm. I still, after 50 years, enjoy watching swarms especially if they are not from my hives. -Mike

x2.
Jim

BeeMaster2 · August 11, 2015, 12:35:55 PM

Quote from: NeilTheCop on August 06, 2015, 05:05:06 PM
Thanks for the replies. I may just put a medium lang baited with frames of drawn comb and lemon grass oil next to it, and hope they consider it an upgrade to the Warre and move in

Neil,
When I set swarm traps, I place one drawn frame, the older the better, placed in position 1 or 5 and 4 empty frames, preferably with a 1/4" stick in the top board slot to control the comb placement, and about 4 drops of lemon grass oil placed on the top of the frames.
The reason for the empty frames is because the scouts actually measure the size of the void for empty space. If there is not enough, they may not like it.
Good luck.
Jim