Recaptured Swarm question

[David Stewart]

Caught my first swarm yesterday, picture perfect about five feet off the ground. Couldn't leave them in the truck (in the sun and 100 degrees) so I closed them up and placed them in the shade on the ground. Plenty of ventilation (SBB and ventilated top). Went to check on them two hours later and they were gone. I had screwed up and set the hive near a fire ant mound and what bees were left were fighting for their lives. Found them again this morning about 30 feet off the ground and got them hived again by removing the top and raising the box by rope and shaking them in, lower the box and put the top on, raise it back up and watch. Took two trys to get the queen and now the girls are fanning and the remaining bees are beginning to enter. My question is how long should I leave the box up before trying to move them? They will ultimately end up at my house about 25 miles from here.

Thanks,
David

[iddee]

<<<<how long should I leave the box up before trying to move them>>>>

About 3 seconds..... You need to get them out of range of their scout bees or they will likely go to a hollow tree the scouts have found.

[David Stewart]

Thank you sir!! Got them buttoned up by stuffing the entrance with newspaper. That was the benefit of having them about 50 yds from my office window....Never thought about them still looking for a suitable hive. I wonder about when I get them home this evening- should I put on a queen "includer" for a couple of days or is it likely she's slimmed down enough to slip through it? Probably will brush off and install a frame of brood from one of my other hives to try to somewhat anchor them. Good ideas- Bad ideas?

Thanks,
David

[ July 20, 2006, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: David Stewart ]

[iddee]

I use the "includer", but I don't know if it helps or not. I have some stay, some go. I've never tried a frame of brood, although I do give them an old empty drawn comb when I have one.

[David Stewart]

Update: Got them home and put in two old brood frames to go with 8 honey frames from last year that were used for crush/strain so they have a starter strip of sorts. Queen includer saved me yet again. Only two times I've ever used it was to keep queens in that seemed bent on hitting the road. Guess this feral queen still had a little too much belly to fit through because the bees seemed dead set to take off again. what seemed like 70-80% of them were swirling in the air and balling on limbs. The remaining bees were split between bearding on the front of the box and fanning the entrance. Put on some feed and naturally spilled a little which drew in every fireant in the yard..Got them temporarily on flimsy blocks in water and praying the wind stays light for a day or two until they settle in and begin defending against the ants. By dark they all seemed to at least be back at the hive. I know I'll spend more feeding these beasts than a new package costs but I just couldn't pass up my first swarm of ferals (on my wife's birthday no less). Tame as kittens right now but the wife is betting that in a week or two I find out they are africanized.....Way my luck goes, she'll be right.

[iddee]

congrats...

[Mike Gillmore]

Great job David! Swarms are very exciting and can become "habit forming". smile.gif

Captured swarms will usually draw out comb very quickly so make sure that your hive is level, left to right facing the entrance, or you may end up with your 8 starter strip frames drawn out all goofed up and off center of the frame.