Large Swarm April 4, 2009

[JP]

This was a pretty good one, they barely squeezed into a deep. Brought them home and added a medium right quick as they were busting at the seams. Added a feeder and they were good to go.

The few pics at the end are from my beeyard. I did some hive management and cut the field, even though I would love for it to just grow up. Not my land so I do what I have to to keep the peace.

Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/April42009?authkey=Gv1sRgCL_vkJzAvPbF4gE#


...JP

[Kathyp]

you may be able to answer a question for me.  two of the swarms i got last year overwintered in a deep and medium.  it just worked out that way because of the time of the year.  now both are really stuffed and i need to give space.  i hate to put a deep on top of the medium, but i hate to break the brood nest and put a deep between.  suggestions?

[JP]

Kathy, I have been using a deep and a medium for my broodnests. The deep gives them room to expand and if they need extra space they use the next medium. All mediums from there out.


...JP

[Brian D. Bray]

Kathy, I have been using a deep and a medium for my broodnests. The deep gives them room to expand and if they need extra space they use the next medium. All mediums from there out.


...JP

 I agree.  Getting a mid to late summer swarm built up to add and fill a medium is a pretty good feat.  If you insist on a 2 deep brood chamber I'd recommend waiting until you've extracted from a deep and then placing that between the medium and the deep.  The honey residue will draw the bees into the new deep and they will quickly turn it into another brood box.  It is then fairly likely the medium can be harvested about 3 weeks later.. but there are exceptions, a good one is that the queen turns out to want both deeps and the medium for the brood box...that's a booming hive.

[Kathyp]

these were two large swarms from last year that built up enough for a deep and med, but not two deeps.  i am out of mediums, so they are getting a deep on top.  one might be a good candidate for a split later....

thank

[iddee]

Once the deep is filled, it can be placed in the middle and the medium on top without any problem. It could be done now if you were past your cold nights.

Nice swarm, JP

[annette]

Great photos once again. I never tire of them JP and am always in awe. AWE!!!

Gosh hope I get at least one good swarm call this year. Something I can actually manage on my own.

[JP]

I'm hoping for you to get you one, but isn't that great, you and Ray going to deal with those two?


...JP

[annette]

I'm hoping for you to get you one, but isn't that great, you and Ray going to deal with those two?


...JP

I hope it all goes well. I appreciate Ray taking this on as he has his hands full lately with helping many beekeepers and catching swarms, etc.

Will let you know how it goes.

[catfishbill]

holy smokes JP that is a huge swarm!it looked like it had a mind of its own.glad yo got'em.with that many bees it will split time soon.   bill
 

[poka-bee]

JP Swarm King!  That is a bunch-o-bees!!  Your beeyard looks very nice, lots of space!  I too hope to get at least one this year.  J

[Cindi]

JP, nice swarm.  Loved to see that picture of your beeyard that goes on, and on, and on....just like that eveready bunny, smiling.  Love to see your swarm and cut out pictures, always look forward to viewing them, beauty.  Have that wonderful day, life, health. Cindi

[JP]

Cindi, that's my friend's place, he owns 13 acres. Its a long narrow rectangle. Our place is in Mississippi, gonna put some bees there soon, maybe even this weekend.


...JP

[Kathyp]

quick update.  i pulled that hive apart none to soon.  the deep was stuffed and i found swarm cells.  the med. was all honey.  put a deep of drawn comb on the 1st deep with honey on top.  took the swarm cell frames and gave them to a queenless hive.  hope i caught them in time.  this is a great hive!  the other with the same set up looks not so good.  found only drone brood in there. gave them a frame of brood, but might have to shake them out when the weather is good again.

[Cindi]

Oh Kathy, wonderful.  But I wonder if you should have given some frames empty so that the bees would be able to work something.  With drawn comb, they don't have to work really hard.  I recall topics where keeping the bees busy drawing wax is also a great swarm prevention thing.   Maybe you should take some frames that are not drawn and put in there along with the drawn foundation.  You will hear comments.  Good going!!!!  Have that wonderful and awesome life, day, health.  Cindi

[Kathyp]

didn't have any empty ready to go.  worked on that yesterday.  shot another 20 frames for that cutout this weekend and so that i have spares.  :-)

[Scott Derrick]

Love those big ole FAT FATTIES. Nice one JP. I'm still looking for the record this year. So far it's about 6 pounds. I'd love to find one that's about 8 to 10 lbs. Kinda like trolling for Striper or Large Mouth!