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Author Topic: Could it be a swarm?  (Read 3837 times)

Offline 00dakota

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Could it be a swarm?
« on: June 04, 2007, 10:47:45 pm »
Hello,
My husband and I got our very first bee hive in Arpil of this year.  We put a super on the first of May.  This evening the bees are all bunched up around the front of the hive.  Could a hive this new be about to swarm?  Or course we have no second hive ready yet as we didn't realize this could happen this fast.

Thanks for any insite.

Ree

Offline MrILoveTheAnts

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2007, 10:50:00 pm »
It sounds more like they're bearding outside to cool the nest.

Offline 00dakota

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2007, 10:55:49 pm »
Thank you, now my heart rate can return to normal.

Offline Understudy

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2007, 01:28:36 am »
Prop open the top lid a little and let some of the hot air out. If they go back in it's breading. If they dissapear with half your honey it's a swarm.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
The status is not quo. The world is a mess and I just need to rule it. Dr. Horrible

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2007, 07:28:37 am »
Just sounds like bearding to me.  I try to increase ventilation until they go back inside.  A Screened Bottom Board (SBB) will help.   Propping the lid up will help.  Two shingle shims make a nice prop for the lid, but any stick will get by.
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Offline 00dakota

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2007, 09:36:27 pm »
That makes sense.  I was wondering what would keep the bees from filling the gap with honey if we propped it open and left it.  Just leave it up to cool off and then close.

Thanks for the help.

Offline Understudy

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2007, 09:38:18 pm »
Just leave it open and don't close. Until the weather cools down.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
The status is not quo. The world is a mess and I just need to rule it. Dr. Horrible

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2007, 07:49:54 am »
>I was wondering what would keep the bees from filling the gap with honey if we propped it open and left it.

Nothing.  But it scrapes off easily enough if they do.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
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"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Offline ZuniBee

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2007, 01:32:43 pm »
All of mine are bearding big time....only on the landing board. (Its completely covered) They look like they are doing the washboard I have read about. Anyway, I put a stick to prop the lid open. They didn't go back in until late. The next evening they were back out. This might be a dumb question but when you say prop a stick are you saying just the lid or the inner cover as well?

Offline annette

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Re: Could it be a swarm?
« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2007, 01:42:55 pm »
The inner cover is already open in the middle. You would just prop open the telescoping cover a little.

Annette

 

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