Swarm traps, swarms and cut-outs

[SlickMick]

I find it really interesting how you guys on the other side of the Pacific have such an active life with swarms, swarm trapping and cut-outs. I suppose that in conditions where you loose hives during the winter you have to restock however you can.

After I lost my 2 hives last year to the SHB I thought that I would have to buy bees to restock and did not think of retrieving swarms. So far I have collected 3, one that housed itself in a possum box which is about half the size of a deep and they are going great. I have read today that these type of boxes do well as swarm traps so I will knock some up using some old form ply that I have for next season.

I suppose that the big difference is that of climatic conditions. I would never entertain having to rely on swarms to restock as until last year. I have never lost a hive in 15 years until last year.

Apparently it would seem that this past season the shb may have made it's presence and there have been reports of larger numbers of swarms being collected than previously.  Perhaps these have come from absconding feral or domesticated colonies .

So next season I am going to place a few traps around the place and see what I come up with

[JP]

Catching swarms is pleasing in a lot of ways Mick. They're fun, you don't have to pay for them and even though not all are created equal, generally they are great producers, at least in my experiences.

I have set up many that I was able to get honey from the first season.


...JP

[SlickMick]

I have to admit JP that I have enjoyed taking the swarms that I have collected, not only to renew my stock but also I have met some nice people while housing the swarms.

The last one that I collected was the one in the possum box so in a way it was also a cut out as I had to dismantle the box and remove the comb (small though it may be it was a learning experience). The queen is going great guns and even though it is our autumn (fall) they are bringing a heap of pollen in. Some of our eucalypt is in flower.

I brought some SHB home with them but since hiving them I have collected a grand total of 2 SHB in the bottom board oil trap over the past week.. quite a lot more the previous week or so. So it would appear that they are dealing with the shb quite well.

The other 2 swarms were doing well until one of the queens stopped laying so I had to combine them and have since requeened them. I'll check them in a few days to see that she is laying and that there is brood developing. They seem to be doing much better since I combined them.

But you are right.. swarms are a lot of fun and I look forward to my next one.

[JP]

Mick, here's another really cool aspect for ya. I keep a bag full of 12oz squeeze bottles in my truck.

While waiting for the bees to orient to the catch box, I let people sample my honey and sell it right on the spot!


...JP

[SlickMick]

That's pretty cool JP  :-D I guess you just have to be a born salesman

Mick

[JP]

That's pretty cool JP  :-D I guess you just have to be a born salesman

Mick

The honey sells itself Mick!


...JP

[Grandma_DOG]

Hey, thats a great idea. How much honey do you keep in the truck?

Mick, here's another really cool aspect for ya. I keep a bag full of 12oz squeeze bottles in my truck.

While waiting for the bees to orient to the catch box, I let people sample my honey and sell it right on the spot!


...JP

[JP]

Depends on how much I have at the time, but after a harvest I will bring a box of at least 20-25 bottles along for a swarm call.

About two weeks ago I went on a call that turned out to be hornets. The guy called me because his mother works at a place I removed a swarm from. The bees were resting on a magnolia tree in the rear parking lot.

The employees inside the bldg watched the process through the window. Afterwards I had them sample some honey & they purchased about a dozen bottles.

My name & phone number are on my labels, hence the hornet call.

BTW, here's a few pics of that swarm: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SWyVWlQS52tQpWyV_sphOA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oRadVmaIKE8kVvdGV5ZrrA?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KMOFqwyZGoWI9D3AdwH0Sg?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9JMpmE_Ng8PK4Vq8lwD3uw?feat=directlink


...JP