Author Topic: Yiks!! I am on a swarm list!! (Read 10873 times)

JP · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2009, 10:40:48 am »

Tlynn wrote "Sorry...maybe I'm still a little confused on what to put them in at first. So I should come to the site with a cardboard box like that to put them in, and then transfer them to nuc when I get home? I am assuming no hole in the box if it's just for transfer?" :)

I usually have woodenware with me to house a swarm but a lot of times the cardboard box trick works best for me.

1)I am in an area where its not uncommon to catch 5 or more swarms in a day, so you could run out of woodenware quickly, the box works great for temporary housing,besides if I kept every swarm I caught, I would have way more hives than I could keep up with. Its easier for me to drop the boxes off to my friends or other people looking to house a swarm.

2) As pointed out by Konasdad,cardboard or plastic boxes are much lighter than woodenware, hence much easier to use when shaking a swarm into while you're up on a ladder.

Of course having both, woodenware and either a nuc or a deep or medium on site is a great way to go.

Finally, if you look at the above pic, there is a square cut into the box. Once the vast majority of the bees are in the box, I use my smoker to puff a few inside, then duct tape the entrance, secure the top and you're ready to go!

...JP

sean · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2009, 02:12:04 pm »

for me a vaccum is a must, a couple empty 50lb rice bags(some for bees and some for comb) a saw, some nails and the usual other stuff. Once my hand can reach the bees so can my vaccum hose. When its full empty it into the bags and start sucking again, cut out comb where applicable giva away the honey comb, put the brood comb into the other bags which i usually destroy

Scadsobees · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2009, 02:23:57 pm »

I especially like the swarms that are just about 1-2 feet above my head. Then I can hold the box against my chest, look right up at the swarm, and then shake it all right down! :roll: Very exciting!

If the swarm is on a trunk or large branch, you can brush them or knock as many as possible into the box. If you get the queen, then you can set it down and let the rest of them find the box. It is rather aggrivating, having to wait for the slow bees to find their way to the box.

Rick

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2009, 11:04:44 am »

Hey Annette,

Here are the items I used.

Bee Suit
Spray bottle containing sugar syrup and lemongrass
Bee Brush
2 dust pans
small plastic bucket
Queen includer
Drawn comb

The most difficult part was the location of the swarm cluster, but as I wrote, they took off to live in an upside down metal garbage can...then it became easy.

Looking forward to the stories!

Shar

annette · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2009, 02:13:09 pm »

I have been having a hectic few days so did not have a chance to truly read all these posts. I am printing out the replies and will read them all this week when I calm down.

But I truly appreciate all the replies and the information is very valuable. I will read all of them and if I have any questions, then I will post again here.

Thanks so much for coming forward with the help

Annette :rainbowflower:

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #25 on:** January 29, 2009, 02:18:32 pm »

Oh I almost forgot, I get a big paper sheet type thingie...helps to drag stiff around, and catch things and such~*~*~ :yippiechick:

Bee Babe · « **Reply #26 on:** January 29, 2009, 05:12:44 pm »

Hi! I am new to this forum...but have caught many swarms. Just relax and handle it slow and steady. Don't ever be in a hurry. I have gotten easy and hard calls....some have been HIGH in trees, inside the concrete walls of strip malls and in a tiny hole three flights up on the side of the building. Don't feel bad if you can't get em....and don't hurt yourself! My easiest catches were a swarm that tried to make a home on a wrought iron railing in an apartment building and another one that was under a plastic lawn chair. I still have the chair with the wax foundation started on it. Good luck...be careful...have fun! Let us know how it goes! :)

annette · « **Reply #27 on:** January 30, 2009, 02:41:38 am »

OK I have read all the suggestions. It all makes sense to me so I will go over the lists and decide what to purchase and get into my car.

Of course when the calls come in, you will all hear from me, as I am sure I will need moral support.

Take care and thanks for the help
Annette :rainbowflower:

annette · « **Reply #28 on:** January 30, 2009, 02:46:07 am »

Quote from: beemaster on January 27, 2009, 05:37:09 pm

Annette:

I'd RATHER be on SURVIVOR with you then JP on my alliance !!! I think you'd be the GETTER DONE part of the stick and Get to know those other beekeers in your call group - if you find a swarm to big for you to do - WORK WITH THE OTHER NINE COMPETITORS you always getting the managable situation for your set up and YOU letting them know where the big ones are!

I would too allign with JP for his ALLEGIANCE and dedication to work with a good strong team. There is a question about which TV REALITY SHOW

In Survivor speak, I think we'd do great until week 9 - not bad :)

Slightly off topic I know - sorry.

Good advice about getting to know the other beekeepers and I know someone else mentioned that also. Will do that right away.
:rainbowflower:

annette · « **Reply #29 on:** January 30, 2009, 02:52:19 am »

You guys are all so wonderful and helpful. This is such a wonderful forum and it makes me happy to read all the comments.
All the suggestions are important to me.

suprstakr · « **Reply #30 on:** January 30, 2009, 09:25:29 am »

ANOTHER IDEA
I tape a sheet below or on a branch so the bees are over the sheet . Play out the sheet so it's like a slide going into a container and with a rubber malet or by hand give a couple shakes to loosen the bees . I also use sugarwatter and lemon grass on the swarm and the box to keep them together , just dont drown them (a little dab will do it) .For emergencies I carry a 50 ft. roll of plastic about 5 ft. wide to make a slide and 3 oz fishing sinkers for windy days .HAVE FUN !!!!!!!

annette · « **Reply #31 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:40:19 am »

OK my first question.

How do I make the sugar water/lemongrass oil mixture. What percentage of each???

JP · « **Reply #32 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:46:39 am »

Quote from: annette on January 30, 2009, 11:40:19 am

OK my first question.

How do I make the sugar water/lemongrass oil mixture. What percentage of each???

You could do a 1 to 1 sugar/water mix and just add a few drops of lemon grass oil to the mix. You don't want to overdo it on the lemon grass, a little goes a long way.

...JP

Kathyp · « **Reply #33 on:** January 30, 2009, 11:50:48 am »

when i make a spray bottle of lemon grass, i use 1:1 mix in favor of the sugar, and maybe 1 drop of the lemon grass oil. it's pretty strong stuff.

annette · « **Reply #34 on:** January 30, 2009, 12:03:13 pm »

Quote from: kathyp on January 30, 2009, 11:50:48 am

when i make a spray bottle of lemon grass, i use 1:1 mix in favor of the sugar, and maybe 1 drop of the lemon grass oil. it's pretty strong stuff.

ok thanks Kathy and JP also.

Love
Annette

KONASDAD · « **Reply #35 on:** January 30, 2009, 05:02:12 pm »

Take spary bottle, fill half weay w/ sugar, fill remainder w/ hot tap water and shake. Add a capful of Honey-B-healthy. Refrigerate under ideal circumstances. Cold spray works best. I always keep a filled spray bottle, a cardboard box, dust pan, sheet of cardboard or cloth, and step ladder in car art all times. That will be good enough for about 50% during height of swarm season. If they take more equipment, you can pass on them initally if "comfort" is an issue.

Bee Babe · « **Reply #36 on:** January 31, 2009, 03:14:54 pm »

I have used sugar water to spray them with, but the lemon grass oil is interesting. I think someone earlier said it calmed the bees better....where do you get the lemon grass oil? The sheet is a good idea....I have had to scoop the swarm out of the grass before with a spatula into a big tupperware bowl. Not the ideal way to do it! Ha!

JP · « **Reply #37 on:** January 31, 2009, 04:02:03 pm »

Quote from: Bee Babe on January 31, 2009, 03:14:54 pm

I have used sugar water to spray them with, but the lemon grass oil is interesting. I think someone earlier said it calmed the bees better....where do you get the lemon grass oil? The sheet is a good idea....I have had to scoop the swarm out of the grass before with a spatula into a big tupperware bowl. Not the ideal way to do it! Ha!

First, welcome to beemaster bee babe!

The lemon grass oil can be purchased at a health food store or cheaper on line. The lemon grass smells like a pheromone (nosanov) that is an orientating pheromone the bees utilize in a few different instances one being when orienting during a swarm. The lemon grass will help them orient to your box set up when housing a swarm.

Sheets work really well at keeping bees out of grass and grates and such

...JP

Kathyp · « **Reply #38 on:** January 31, 2009, 04:54:46 pm »

or a smaller tarp. i like the tarp because it's easy to bend in half and dump bees into the hive if they are reluctant. it's also easy to hose off after cutouts :-)

sheets hide bees...then i get stung...then i chug benadryl...then i sleep......... :roll:

i got my lemon grass oil on ebay. there are a number of good essential oil sellers on there. just watch the shipping and ratings.

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #39 on:** January 31, 2009, 09:01:42 pm »

Yeah a sheet is always a part of any good swarm catching kit. Preferrably one from a King sized bed. I used to use a large Canvas tarpoline but it gets terribly heavy and hard to handle when, although the bees can get a better grip on it when marching into the hive.

2 sheets are better, one to use as a ground apron and the other as a shute for sliding the bees into the hive when the hive has to be offset from where the swarm is hanging.