Swarm Catching

[The15thMember]

Okay good, they definitely didn't need the medium.  So they are on, what, 4 frames?  Don't be surprised if it takes them a little while to catch up to the nuc.  I'd get back in there tomorrow and try to correct the poorly drawn comb.  It'll only get worse the longer you leave it.

[Terri Yaki]

Okay good, they definitely didn't need the medium.  So they are on, what, 4 frames?  Don't be surprised if it takes them a little while to catch up to the nuc.  I'd get back in there tomorrow and try to correct the poorly drawn comb.  It'll only get worse the longer you leave it.

Thanks, I was pondering that but was wondering if I've been meddling with them too much as it is. I'll paint up some frames with wax and replace those that are in there and maybe see what for comb my buddy across the street has. He's been willing to help me out thus far and I'm setting the trap up for his benefit. Any built comb I can give them can only help.

[Terri Yaki]

OK, I got together with my neighbor and he gave me some drawn comb to replace the undrawn and wonky comb frames. Having more built comb should make the natives happy. I also reset the swarm trap for him, since his have all died off and hopefully I can help him out there. I put the wonky comb frames into the trap after removing most of the comb, which all had uncapped honey it in. I expect it to get robbed out. I guess I have a little crush and strain going on. 

[The15thMember]

I love pictures like that, where the honey is from the same hive, same time, but two completely different colors!  How do they each taste?

[Terri Yaki]

I love pictures like that, where the honey is from the same hive, same time, but two completely different colors!  How do they each taste?

Taste great! LOL I don't know, I'm no honey connoisseur yet so I didn't compare them and I gave the smaller one to a neighbor who stopped by already.

[Terri Yaki]

My swarm trap is seeing moderate activity all day today since about 0700 and they're flying all around it, checking out the seam between the boxes and checking out the dimensions. I did put some comb with nectar in there but it wasn't much and the activity doesn't look like robbing but I remain open to the possibility. They aren't just coming and going, they're in, out, walking around, flying around the box.

[Terri Yaki]

And after rebaiting the trap with lemongrass oil this morning and seeing a bee checking the hive out, I have a good sized group of scouts out there this afternoon.

[Terri Yaki]

It looks like the swarm that was looking for a home liked my neighbor's dead hive better as he scored a new swarm yesterday. Poor guy needed a win so I'm glad he got it and we didn't have to move it from my house down to his.

[gww]

Swarms are nice.  They are nicer early rather then late but still nice.

[beesnweeds]

a swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly.

[The15thMember]

I guess we're kind of right on the line there. 

[Ben Framed]

Swarms are nice.  They are nicer early rather then late but still nice.

a swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly.

I enjoy swarms too. As gww I wound rather have early swarms but late swarms are nice too. I would not view late swarms as worthless. Maybe in some cases of no flow, a little TLC may be required.

Phillip

[Michael Bush]

I think the "old saying" comes from skep days.  A swarm in July was unlikely to make any honey.  But it might build up and make it through the winter to make honey next year...