I found my first swarm today. I heard a loud buzzing sound and found the swarm on an
overgrown stone fenceline. The bees were on low vegetation and a couple large
stones. I estimated the size of the swarm to be about twice as big as a three
pound package.
I put various frames ( most drawn, a few with just foundation, and 1 frame with capped
brood) together in a medium hive box to use as the new home for this swarm.
Using my bee brush, I brushed the bees onto some large leaves and then shook the bees
off onto the hive box. I must have done this about 20 times until it appeared as though
I had 90 % of the bees in the box. ( probably took over a half-hour)
I then put a top on the box and had to work elsewhere for several hours. When I got back
all the bees were gone from the hive. :-x Also, the 10 % or so I left on the stone fence
were all gone too.
Any comments or suggestions as to what could I have done differently?
Thanks,