View Full Version : Swarm catching question
Aisha
03-27-2008, 03:20 PM
There are 8-10 bees buzzing enthusiastically around my swarm catcher nuc and they are going in and out of the holes. I think they are scout bees.
What are the chances I can get a swarm if I have that many scouts already?
How soon would I get a swarm after scouts give it the okay?
And most importantly, how do I tell if they are Africanized or not? :eek:
Do I need to send a sample to the bee lab?
naturebee
03-27-2008, 04:02 PM
They are scout bees, but the scouts that are visiting in a frenzy type investigation are pre swarm scouts, they scout out locations in the week or so prior to swarming. This can sometimes go on all swarm season, as returning foragers that will become house hunting bees in the future are checking out the box while on foraging trips. From my experience, when you notice a lul in activity, or calmer scouts visiting, this usually suggests a swarm accepting the bait box very soon.
--And most importantly, how do I tell if they are Africanized or not? :eek:--
In my opinion, using nucs as swarm traps is perhaps a bad choice in AHB areas. AHB will readily accept smaller voids, and EHB are not as attracted to smaller voids. So by using a small nuc as a trap, you have a trap that is less attractive to EHB, slanting the favor to AHB
Joe
Aisha
03-27-2008, 10:36 PM
They are scout bees, but the scouts that are visiting in a frenzy type investigation are pre swarm scouts, they scout out locations in the week or so prior to swarming.
They did seem frenzied earlier in the day, but later in the evening were going in pretty calmly. I may have already caught a small after-swarm. They were still going in at sundown.
In my opinion, using nucs as swarm traps is perhaps a bad choice in AHB areas. AHB will readily accept smaller voids, and EHB are not as attracted to smaller voids. So by using a small nuc as a trap, you have a trap that is less attractive to EHB, slanting the favor to AHB
Hm. That is good to know. I guess I am counting on the fact that there are a lot of beekeepers nearby, and I live in the suburbs. This is definitely a learning process and I will be careful. Thanks, Joe!
If there is any residual honey in your bait comb you could see more forager/robbing activity than just scouts. Look to see if any pollen is coming in. I once brought a trap home only to find just foragers cleaning up the last bit of honey.
Jeffzhear
03-28-2008, 01:34 PM
If there is any residual honey in your bait comb you could see more forager/robbing activity than just scouts. Look to see if any pollen is coming in. I once brought a trap home only to find just foragers cleaning up the last bit of honey.
I read your post and it made me smile...been there, done that! Proudly brought home a new swarm thinking I had a big swarm....only to find they all disappeared before I got home! Make sure you really do have a swarm before dragging the swarm catcher home.:D