Newbie captures a swarm, now what? Help!

[FLbugman]

About 60 days ago I captured a swarm and placed it in a large rubbermaid container on a table in my backyard. Now that I have the bees, could someone recommend how to get started producing honey, what equipment to get-any and all advice welcome. My immediate need is how to get the bees into a proper hive and get it going 'correctly'. TIA

[Daisy]

You gotta be kiddin, right?

LOL

A rubbermaid bucket on your backyard table?

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I believe it. I removed a swarm from a daycare center, when they did not send the check I went to collect. They had an afterswarm her son in law put in a shoebox. The shoebox was getting wet so they cut a hole in the end of a rubbermaid storage container and put the box inside. Now they wanted me to take this as well and would send me the check that Friday, that was a month ago and still no check.

Deadbeats, they drive the cost of business up and then they wonder why it is.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

>My immediate need is how to get the bees into a proper hive and get it going 'correctly'. TIA

Well the easiest way is to put the swarm directly on the frames when you capture it. Not being able to go back in time you will have to settle for a more labor intensive method.

They have buildt comb by now with brood and stores in it. You will need a regular langstroth hive box and some frames with no foundation. Cut the brood comb to fit the frames and rubber band or string tie the comb into the frames. A little of the honey would be beneficial too, but it is really heavy and difficult to manage.

Shake or brush the bees onto the newly made brood frames and remove the old comb from the immediate area. Set the remaining wax and honey in the yard for them to rob out and they will move the honey into their new home.

You will also need to fill the remainder of the hive box with frames that have foundation installed. Put the lid on and cross your fingers, buy a couple of books on beekeeping and ask questions here.

Good luck.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I try to treat people like I want to be treated, and I have never liked paying for anything in advance. I like to see a good job done first, wether I am doing it, or paying for it.

From now on, if you are wearing cowboy boots, you are paying in advance.

[Daisy]

Yeah Bullseye BUT, for Three Months?

LOL

In God we Trust, everyone pays cash....

Member that One?

[tarheit]

Just show up with the box and ask where they want their swarm since they haven't paid anyone to take it.

Likely you could put a lean on the property, and I'm told it's not difficult. But it's likely not worth it if it's a small amount.

[Michael Grodeman]

There is allways someone thats going to try and wiggle out of paying for a bill. The way thay see it, thay let you 'have' there bees. Thay probly feel that you should pay them. I agree with one of the other posts. Stick a couple of bees in the box, take it back to them, and ask them where thay want there swarm. Make sure to do it early in the morning, or around 4-5 in the afternoon, when most of the kids are being droped off and picked up. That should get your point across.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

That's what I'll do. I'll take the same container with a cup full of bees in it over with me when I go back to get paid.