Russian swarm

[beegee]

I have a friend who has requeen this year with Russians. I have another another friend who does not keep bees who lives about a block away in a suburban subdivision. Friend #2 called me yesterday and said he had a swarm in his tool cabinet under his shelter. I told him I didn't have anyplace to put a swarm right now and that they probably came from friend #1's place. #1 and I went to #2's place and opened the tool cabinet. In about a week, these bees had built the prettiest 2-3 large leaves of white comb that was packed with beautiful, uniform, well-patterned capped brood. He is going to remove the bees today and take them back home. He feels like the Russians are more prone to swarm than his Italians. But, if they build comb and lay like that, I guess the risk is worth it.

[Curry]

At the beginning of the year I had 50 russian hives. I caught 22 swarms, and I know that 3 got away, so yes half of them swarmed on me. But, I'm trying to build up bees... so I was glad to get them. Many of the swarms did as well or better than old hives (many build two full deeps of comb, and filled them with honey).

I'm up to 100 hives now thanks to the swarms.

[Michael Bush]

I love swarms when I catch them. I hate them when I don't. http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif