First Newspaper Combine

[The15thMember]

I caught a swarm from one of my hives last week and since I'm low on equipment, I decided to combine them with a hive that was very weak and not really building up.  This is the first time I've ever combined colonies.  I found the old queen and removed her, caught the swarm and put them on the bottom board, then put 2 half sheets of newspaper on top of them, and the old queenless box on the top.  I chose to put the swarm on the bottom of the setup because this was an afterswarm, and I wasn't sure if the queen was mated or not.  Today I checked to see how the combination was going.  I took off the cover and the bees were quite loud and were clinging to the underside of the screened inner cover.  I smoked them, but they didn't really react.  I lifted the inner cover off and basically all the bees that were in the box just flew away.  It was like a swarm, they just were gone.  Okay, that was weird, I think, and I pull out a couple of frames to check on how the newspaper is coming along.  As I'm rummaging through the box, I hear the sound flying bees, and in a matter of about 5 minutes time all the bees returned to the box.  Since the newspaper was basically intact, I poked a couple slits in it with my hive tool and closed them back up.  Why did all the bees leave and come back?  It is because they were confined for a week?     

[Ben Framed]

Very interesting Member, interesting twist of aspects in your paragraph. I will focus on just one for now. When you say news paper, do you mean the old thin easy to deteriorate type or the slick smooth advertisement section type? The reason I ask is because I used the old rougher easy to deteriorate type (one single sheet) and they had no problem getting through. The advertisement type is a little thicker and better made. I am glad you posted this as it is very interesting. I am looking forward to other responses of your situation.

Phillip Hall

[FloridaGardener]

Can't know for sure why they left and came back... maybe when you gotta go, you gotta go.

       I've had the same problem with combining: they don't chew through the newspaper, even with some holes poked.   Tried spraying the newspaper with water once... that just made a mess.  I was afraid to turn the paper corners back, and combine them be too fast too soon.

      Now I keep a sheet made out of that thin, hard cardboard from USPS priority mail boxes.  It's the size of a hive body, and has a dozen 1/8" holes drilled in it.  I bolted one of those spinny entrance discs in the middle (with vent closed) held with a tiny bolt and nut.  It goes between colony and the empty hive body which will hold the added bees.

      After half a day, when the bees have had a good sniff of their new mom, I pop the top, spin the disc open, and let them head down.  I take off the cardboard "excluder" and extra hive body the next day.

      The cardboard can overhang the hive bodies, if you're combining into a nuc.

[Ben Framed]

Yes, I can see where that would work well. I wonder if a simple screen would be to much exposure for the top and bottom box during a combo? I have never heard of it being done so there must be a good reason?

Phillip Hall

[The15thMember]

Very interesting Member, interesting twist of aspects in your paragraph. I will focus on just one for now. When you say news paper, do you mean the old thin easy to deteriorate type or the slick smooth advertisement section type? The reason I ask is because I used the old rougher easy to deteriorate type (one single sheet) and they had no problem getting through. The advertisement type is a little thicker and better made. I am glad you posted this as it is very interesting. I am looking forward to other responses of your situation.

Phillip Hall

I am using normal black and white newspaper.  I was advised against color-print since the colored ink could be bad for the bees to ingest.  Our local newspaper does have pretty high quality paper though.  It rained overnight and the paper hanging out over the edges was still fully intact, which I found surprising. 

Can't know for sure why they left and came back... maybe when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Honestly, that was my guess as to what happened.  The bees weren't acting angry or bumping me or anything; this was definitely not bees pouring out to attack me.  But man, they were really anxious to get out of that box!  I'm just glad they decided to come back. 

       I've had the same problem with combining: they don't chew through the newspaper, even with some holes poked.   Tried spraying the newspaper with water once... that just made a mess.  I was afraid to turn the paper corners back, and combine them be too fast too soon.

      Now I keep a sheet made out of that thin, hard cardboard from USPS priority mail boxes.  It's the size of a hive body, and has a dozen 1/8" holes drilled in it.  I bolted one of those spinny entrance discs in the middle (with vent closed) held with a tiny bolt and nut.  It goes between colony and the empty hive body which will hold the added bees.

      After half a day, when the bees have had a good sniff of their new mom, I pop the top, spin the disc open, and let them head down.  I take off the cardboard "excluder" and extra hive body the next day.

      The cardboard can overhang the hive bodies, if you're combining into a nuc.

Interesting idea.  If this doesn't go well, maybe I'll give that a try next time.

Yes, I can see where that would work well. I wonder if a simple screen would be to much exposure for the top and bottom box during a combo? I have never heard of it being done so there must be a good reason?

Phillip Hall

Based on the fact that I've seen bees fight and kill each other through a screen, I don't think that would work well.  It would obviously protect the queen, but I imagine you'd lose a lot of workers. 

[Ben Framed]

Good information. I did not know they could kill each other through a screen, I was thinking they may want to fight and worry themselves crazy trying lol . ( was thinking of the same mesh screen that is used on windows). I am glad you got them back Member. Keep up the good work! Between bees and rabbits y?all have got it going! Hi to the family!

Phillip Hall

[Oldbeavo]

15th
Did they return because the had attached to the queen or did they just want to go for a poo.
We do put slits in the newspaper and have never had it left intact, have had holes 1-2" that the bees travelled through.
We tend to leave the original bees in the bottom and add the new ones above the paper, no reason, just habit but seems to work.
I am always amazed at the pile of newspaper dust in front of the hive.

[Seeb]

in a matter of about 5 minutes time all the bees returned to the box

I get a big smile as I see in my mind's-eye, the astonishment on your face. I hope you are keeping a diary of your adventures

[The15thMember]

Good information. I did not know they could kill each other through a screen, I was thinking they may want to fight and worry themselves crazy trying lol . ( was thinking of the same mesh screen that is used on windows). I am glad you got them back Member. Keep up the good work! Between bees and rabbits y?all have got it going! Hi to the family!

Phillip Hall

We've definitely got a lot of plates spinning, but we've got a lot of people to spin them.    I actually wasn't referring to window screen, so I'm not sure if that would work or not.  I was thinking of a time I had some robbing going on and bees were fighting through a screened inner cover. 

15th
Did they return because the had attached to the queen or did they just want to go for a poo.
We do put slits in the newspaper and have never had it left intact, have had holes 1-2" that the bees travelled through.
We tend to leave the original bees in the bottom and add the new ones above the paper, no reason, just habit but seems to work.
I am always amazed at the pile of newspaper dust in front of the hive.

I doubt they had attached to the new queen, since they weren't through the paper at all.  If "nature's call" is the only other option, than that's what it was. 

in a matter of about 5 minutes time all the bees returned to the box

I get a big smile as I see in my mind's-eye, the astonishment on your face. I hope you are keeping a diary of your adventures

I'm sure it looked very funny, me just standing there staring as the bees just flew away and then again as they all came back!    Unfortunately there was no one around to see it.  I do keep a journal of everything that's going on in the bee yard, both for beekeeping records and to remember all the interesting things that happen.