First swarm of 2021

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 12:26:25 AM

Monday I watched a lot of scout bees checking out a one deep and one medium swarm trap that I had set up about 10 days earlier. I could tell that they really liked it due to the number of bees and some of them were even dancing at the entrance. They kept checking it out until about 2 hours before sunset. I figured they would move in just before sunset. Then on Tuesday they were back checking it out in the morning. They did not move in until 5:00 Tuesday evening. It looks to bee a large swarm, it took over an hour before they were all inside the hive.

This picture was taken Monday morning.
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It does not look like much but they were all over the hive most of Monday.

This was taken Monday afternoon.
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And here they are just moving in on Tuesday, 5:00
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Jim Altmiller

Brian MCquilkin · April 01, 2021, 12:55:08 AM

That's awesome well done. I plan to put out some traps this year we will see how it goes.

Ben Framed · April 01, 2021, 01:09:42 AM

Congratulations Jim. Is this close to the same location where you have caught swarms in the past? Nice swarm!

Acebird · April 01, 2021, 08:25:29 AM

Are commercials near by? Not one of your own I hope.

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 08:43:15 AM

Quote from: Ben Framed on April 01, 2021, 01:09:42 AM
Congratulations Jim. Is this close to the same location where you have caught swarms in the past? Nice swarm!

No, this is at the farm. It is in my barn. The other large swarms were caught in front of my workshop in Jacksonville.
This is the first time I have set up a large trap here at the farm. I have caught small swarms, in nucs in this area before.
Jim Altmiller

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 08:51:03 AM

Quote from: Acebird on April 01, 2021, 08:25:29 AM
Are commercials near by? Not one of your own I hope.

This is definitely not from the one hive that I have here. It came from the opposite direction. I watched where the scouts were coming from.
The commercial beekeepers have not placed a here hives here near me yet. I?m hoping this is from a feral hive that overwintered on its own.
Jim Altmiller

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 08:55:35 AM

Yesterday morning Judy and I moved this hive to our hive stand. Then I set up another double medium box in the same location. It is possible more than one hive was looking to move into this location.
Jim Altmiller

van from Arkansas · April 01, 2021, 09:37:57 AM

That swarm looks HUGE. TaDaaaa

Kudos Mr. Jim.

AR Beekeeper · April 01, 2021, 09:47:33 AM

sawdstmakr; Are you in an area that has the Africanized bee?

van from Arkansas · April 01, 2021, 01:06:58 PM

Jim, what in tar nation is that propane tank hook up to the bottom deep? Well, that is what I see in the pic. What is going on there?

???

CoolBees · April 01, 2021, 02:39:00 PM

That's awesome Jim!! That's a huge swarm.

Nock · April 01, 2021, 04:48:39 PM

Nice catch. Does look like a good size swarm.

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 05:42:34 PM

Quote from: AR Beekeeper on April 01, 2021, 09:47:33 AM
sawdstmakr; Are you in an area that has the Africanized bee?

No, they stay south of the I-4 corridor. Thanks goodness.
Jim Altmiller

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 05:45:37 PM

Quote from: Nock on April 01, 2021, 04:48:39 PM
Nice catch. Does look like a good size swarm.

I?m pretty sure they are. It took a long time for them to move in. I won?t know until day 7, this coming Tuesday when I inspect them and put them on a regular bottom.

Jim Altmiller

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 05:47:03 PM

I will not be surprised if they make a super of honey this spring.
Jim Altmiller

Bob Wilson · April 01, 2021, 07:59:22 PM

Van.
This hive model of Jim's comes with heated floors, gas insert fire places, and a tankless hot water system.
It's an upscale residence.
Jim. Congrats. It sure feels good catching those swarms. Especially the feral ones.

Ben Framed · April 01, 2021, 08:33:14 PM

Quote from: Bob Wilson on April 01, 2021, 07:59:22 PM
Van.
This hive model of Jim's comes with heated floors, gas insert fire places, and a tankless hot water system.
It's an upscale residence.
Jim. Congrats. It sure feels good catching those swarms. Especially the feral ones.

I?m not Van but how could they resist with all those amenities? Good post Bob!

jtcmedic · April 01, 2021, 08:38:03 PM

Well done nice size hive

BeeMaster2 · April 01, 2021, 09:30:41 PM

Quote from: Bob Wilson on April 01, 2021, 07:59:22 PM
Van.
This hive model of Jim's comes with heated floors, gas insert fire places, and a tankless hot water system.
It's an upscale residence.
Jim. Congrats. It sure feels good catching those swarms. Especially the feral ones.

🤗

van from Arkansas · April 02, 2021, 09:46:53 AM

Quote from: Bob Wilson on April 01, 2021, 07:59:22 PM
Van.
This hive model of Jim's comes with heated floors, gas insert fire places, and a tankless hot water system.
It's an upscale residence.
Jim. Congrats. It sure feels good catching those swarms. Especially the feral ones.

The Fisher Island Hive, ok, I get it. A ritzy wealthy hive. Is the queen named Cleopatra? Just poking fun at Jim, our administrator, we all adore the fella.