Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: javah on April 17, 2013, 02:15:51 pm
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I caught a swarm this morning and put them in a large plastic container for the ride home.
When I got home I put them in a hive with some old comb. About five minutes after putting them in the hive they started marching straight to the hive next to them which is full of bees. i would say 3/4s of them moved into the hive next to them. Will they stay with the bees that I already had or will they get the boot. What should I do.
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[img]I don't think there is a thing that you can do other than accept what the bee have done. You may try swapping places with the old hive and the new one and hope that population drift evens things out. I do like to spritz newly hived bees with a little 50-50 syrup so that they aren't so eager to schmooze off of or party hearty with the neighbors.
At least that is what I did with my new swarm today. Next time try one frame of brood with the clinging nurse bees to go along with the old comb. NO NOT TRANSFER THE QUEEN FROM THE BROOD DONER HIVE BY MISTAKE, that WILL BRING ON A FIGHT.
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They may have went over to the other hive because you didnt get the queen or she died in transport.
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They may have went over to the other hive because you didnt get the queen or she died in transport.
That is what I was thinking will they stay with this hive or move on .. will my established hive accept them and all be good.
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if the bees in the other hive weren't dragging them out as fast as they were trying to go in i would think they'll all just get along. i stole a frame of brood from a hive that sits really close to another hive i split off of it a couple of weeks ago and when i bumped the bees off of it they marched right into both hives with no fighting. at this point you're pretty much stuck with them doing what they want to anyway. i can't believe you guys are getting swarms in north alabama and i haven't had a call yet this year.
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i can't believe you guys are getting swarms in north alabama and i haven't had a call yet this year.
This was my second swarm this week . The
First one is doing great. I guess the queen
Got away from me on this one. I might just
Do a split with them.
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i can't believe you guys are getting swarms in north alabama and i haven't had a call yet this year.
This was my second swarm this week . The
First one is doing great. I guess the queen
Got away from me on this one. I might just
Do a split with them.
Could you have a virgin queen that doesn't have a strong pheromone presence yet?
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I always carry a wax coated nuc box in my van with 1 frame of honey and 1 frame of empty comb inside plus 3 foundationless frames. Carry lemon grass oil too. Cotton ball with lemon grass oil on it wiped on the sides of the box before I place the swarm inside. Wipe some of this oil in the new hive box too. Never had a problem with a swarm jumping ship.
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I always carry a wax coated nuc box in my van with 1 frame of honey and 1 frame of empty comb inside plus 3 foundationless frames. Carry lemon grass oil too. Cotton ball with lemon grass oil on it wiped on the sides of the box before I place the swarm inside. Wipe some of this oil in the new hive box too. Never had a problem with a swarm jumping ship.
I will have to try this. Thanks to all
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I always carry a wax coated nuc box in my van with 1 frame of honey and 1 frame of empty comb inside plus 3 foundationless frames. Carry lemon grass oil too. Cotton ball with lemon grass oil on it wiped on the sides of the box before I place the swarm inside. Wipe some of this oil in the new hive box too. Never had a problem with a swarm jumping ship.
I will have to try this. Thanks to all
It's probably ok in the cool of spring, but come summertime if you've still got that nuc box in the vehicle I'm afraid it will be a dripping mess...at least here in south Alabama it will be.
Ed
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It's probably ok in the cool of spring, but come summertime if you've still got that nuc box in the vehicle I'm afraid it will be a dripping mess...at least here in south Alabama it will be.
Ed
Got that right! I usually remember to take it out when I pull into the driveway. It's right inside my front door.