Well I read the " double swarm" thread and after having another look at my hive decided to super it...
Walked out yesterday late afternoon to see a swarm the size of a large rockmelon in my apple tree 1m from my 2nd hive... they were still there this morning so I rang a friend who agreed not an orientation must be due to overcrowding...
so I framed up my super, opened it up and took a nice frame of brood for the top ( ordered excluders still not here ) and placed it on top. All good - my hubby threw a plastic bowl at me to shake them into so I did and promptly threw them in... most started to explore the foundatio and I thought all was good till I came out 2hrs to check if they'd all gone in...
I tell you it was carnage - dead bees all out the front - bees fighting 1 on 1, bees fighting 3 on 1 :(
Obviously they weren't from this hive and I threw them to their death... can't believe a 3rd swarm has landed in my orchard....
My questions are... how much of an impact will it have on hive no's - the swarm I homed in that hive to start with was 5-6 x's the size...
Secondly, if I've just thrown a queen in there I take it they'll go head to head.. could they kill each other and leave me queenless???
I feel like a twit! AND A MURDERER!!!