Author Topic: Is there a certain location within a swarm the queen is most likely to be? (Read 6303 times)

Kellyb · « **on:** March 27, 2009, 11:14:13 pm »

For those of you that catch swarms I was just curious if I see a swarm hanging down from a tree is there a certain place within the swarm that the queen is more likely to be? Smack in the middle, closer to the limb, down at the bottom, or is it too variable to say?

Thanks

beehuntertrapper · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2009, 11:35:09 pm »

I have caught 15 or so swarms in the last couple of years and have yet to see a queen. But it is usually a quick shake in the box, and off we go.

JP · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:40:41 am »

Kelly, generally speaking, you will never see the queen in a swarm cluster, she is hidden by and protected by bees.

I would say however, not that I have concrete proof of this, just my experiences catching swarms, that she will be within the top 1/3 of the cluster.

...JP

BjornBee · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:08:36 am »

If you want to find out, you can stick your hand in the cluster and feel around for her. :shock: I remember a couple stories of beekeepers doing this. Not sure if it happens that way or just some neat "trick" to it, to impress the ladies.. :roll:

JP · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:14:52 am »

Quote from: BjornBee on March 28, 2009, 08:08:36 am

If you want to find out, you can stick your hand in the cluster and feel around for her. :shock: I remember a couple stories of beekeepers doing this. Not sure if it happens that way or just some neat "trick" to it, to impress the ladies.. :roll:

You go first Mike! :devilbanana:

...JP

BjornBee · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:17:06 am »

Quote from: JP on March 28, 2009, 08:14:52 am

Quote from: BjornBee on March 28, 2009, 08:08:36 am
If you want to find out, you can stick your hand in the cluster and feel around for her. :shock: I remember a couple stories of beekeepers doing this. Not sure if it happens that way or just some neat "trick" to it, to impress the ladies.. :roll:

You go first Mike! :devilbanana:

...JP

You line up the ladies, and I'll stick my hand in and see what I can find to impress them.... :shock:

JP · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:20:54 am »

Hey, it was your idea, you line 'em up, I'll donate the swarm. I bet Iddee can do the impressing, yeah, that's it, I vote Iddee goes first! :devilbanana: :devilbanana: :devilbanana:

...JP

BjornBee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:24:41 am »

Quote from: JP on March 28, 2009, 08:20:54 am

Hey, it was your idea, you line 'em up, I'll donate the swarm. I bet Iddee can do the impressing, yeah, that's it, I vote Iddee goes first! :devilbanana: :devilbanana: :devilbanana:

...JP

Yeah, you always push to the front of the group on a dare the stu.......challe.......slo....great guy like iddee! :imsorry:

JP · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:30:48 am »

Hey, let Mikey go first! Mikey likes anything, yeah, ask Mikey to do it. Bahahaahahaahahahahahahaaahaa :devilbanana:

Hey, he likes it, Mikey he likes it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYEXzx-TINc

...JP

BjornBee · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2009, 08:42:50 am »

Poor Mikey! They blamed it all on Mikey too!

That is until he died eating pop-rocks..... :roll:

JP · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:23:41 am »

Quote from: BjornBee on March 28, 2009, 08:42:50 am

Poor Mikey! They blamed it all on Mikey too!

That is until he died eating pop-rocks..... :roll:

Man, pop rocks, I used to love those things!

...JP

iddee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:22:36 am »

OK, I went first. Your turn now.....

BjornBee · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2009, 11:07:04 am »

iddee,
About time you rolled out of bed on a Saturday morning. :-D

JP · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2009, 11:32:29 am »

Quote from: iddee on March 28, 2009, 10:22:36 am

OK, I went first. Your turn now.....

Ok, Mike's turn!

...JP

Kathyp · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:02:52 pm »

so did mikey really die eating pop rocks?

BjornBee · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:21:39 pm »

Quote from: kathyp on March 28, 2009, 01:02:52 pm

so did mikey really die eating pop rocks?

Of course he did. It's like your asking if a bear dumps in the woods, if peanuts grow on bushes, .... :roll: Everybody knows that kid died eating poprocks. Just like Karen Carpenter died choking on a chicken sandwich, given to her by Mama Katz..... :-D

iddee · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2009, 03:06:36 pm »

OK, Mike, "or Mikey???", JP says it's your turn. :evil:

BjornBee · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2009, 03:56:44 pm »

Quote from: iddee on March 28, 2009, 03:06:36 pm

OK, Mike, "or Mikey???", JP says it's your turn. :evil:

Yeah, yeah, iddee. If you were REAL good, you could also tell if she was a virgin or not..... :-D

iddee · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2009, 06:36:57 pm »

Well, she was wearing a white dress with a long train, veil, and white gloves, carrying a bouquet. I would guess that if she was, she wasn't planning to stay that way long.

:-P :-P :-P :evil:

rast · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2009, 07:00:21 pm »

iddee, you don't look like anyone I remember hauling a truckload of bees in here. That guy was a lot younger and slimmer :-D.
Rick