Advice on Keeping a "Volunteer" Swarm?

[finnegan]

Hi folks -

I've got a couple of hives here in Southern Maine that died off this winter, and now that the clover's exploding down here, there are quite a few volunteers who just appeared at the hives, and there's quite a bit of activity now. Any advice on keeping those bees in the hives? Do I need to think about adding a queen, or should I just leave them alone and hope for the best?

Any and all advice most appreciated!

John

[Mici]

ummmm, did a swarm move in, or is the activity just robbing out whats left of the previous inhabitants?
if it's a swarm, it's capable of taking care of itself-the queen part.
if you haven't got any frames inside and they built comb on the walls and stuff..bad luck if they settled on the old equipment with the old comb, that's better. just mend them..umm a little better than your previous colony (the over wintering part :-D)

[finnegan]

Thanks, Mici - I don't know yet whether they're just robbing the honey or moving in. There's so much traffic I sort of thought they were just cleaning it out, but I haven't opened it up yet to see what kind of activity is going on inside. But your point is well taken -- if they're moving in, they'll likely bring a queen with them, then?

[Mici]

exactly.
but...there is only one way to find out, that is by opening the hive.
now...i'm not really sure if this is just your way of talking or percepting bees.
a swarm moves into a hive instantly, not like 5 bees/hour.

anyway...open it up to see what's really happening. BTW if you see bees trying to enter the hive everywhere-not just the entrance, it's more likely just robbing.

[Understudy]

Looks like you may have some bees that may have found a home. Take out a lease agreement and get them to sign it. They get room and board you get honey. Look at the hive entrance at night. If the bees seem well set up they have moved in. If there are almost no bees at night you have robbing.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[gunny]

Put your ear on the top or side of the hive box.  Give a good tap on the side of the hive, you'll know right away if they are robbing or have taken up residence.  Residents will got offended, robbers won't.

[finnegan]

Thanks for the advice, guys! I'm going to crack it open today and see what's going on - hopefully I won't disturb them enough that it won't seem such a welcome new home.

John

[wayne]

  A small beek I work with om removals lost 10 hives last winter. So far 3 swarms have moved in the empty equipment. They seem to like the "lived in" look.