Author Topic: Wild bees have moved in - is it worthwhile trying to harvest (Read 2265 times)

alreid · « **on:** May 26, 2006, 12:33:27 pm »

Two winters ago my honey bees died. Last year I did nothing to the hive at all, didn't even clean the inside. This spring my personal life has settled down again and I went to clean the hive and found that it is busy and vibrant - wild bees have moved in. (Well, I'm guessing they're wild.)

This morning I noticed that some had swarmed, so the hive must be doing well. My question is: is it worthwhile adding a super to gather honey? Is there some gotcha that I'm not aware of?

Thanks.

Apis629 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:38:42 pm »

Given they swarmed, it's probably going to be another 48 days before new workers start emerging. The super could probably wait now.

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2006, 06:01:56 pm »

Though the supering can wait a week or 2, the answer to your question is yes you can expect to harvest honey from this hive this year.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2006, 12:03:55 pm »

>My question is: is it worthwhile adding a super to gather honey?

Sure.

> Is there some gotcha that I'm not aware of?

No.

If there are a lot of bees and a flow, I'd put on a super or two or five.