When to hive a feral swarm

[Bryanaw40]

Newer beekeeper here. I have two feral swarms I have been watching. One is in a tree (recently cut down by owner) and one in some old farm junk.

I am getting geared up to hive both of these and need to know the best time of spring to do this? Both have comb and honey from what I can see but not real sure how much till get in a bit deeper but don't want to disturb them much since it is getting into the 20s at night still and 30 to low 40s in the days. Looks like a late spring to me.

Should I wait till the maples and willows bloom or for a full flow later in May to do this job? The guy with the tree seems patient because he wants to save the bees but would like them gone just the same.

Thanks for any advise here.

Bryan
Ortonville, MI

[Walliebee]

First of all, I would wait until sometime between the maple/willow flowers and full flow in May. Cutouts can be easy, or they can be difficult, complicated, and messy. Plan ahead carefully, and organize your resources. It's better to be over prepared than caught off guard.
Read up on cut outs on the forum by searching the topic. Be sure and have a good idea on how you will secure the the comb and brood to your frames. Be prepared to feed pollen sub. and 1:1 feed once you get them back to your yard. Have fun and good luck.

[WVbeekeeper]

The old beekeepers around here have always told me the best time to do it is when the apple trees begin to bloom.

[beyondthesidewalks]

Make yourself some of the Lusby swarm frames. They are well worth the effort and beat trying to tie comb in empty frames with string. I wish I'd known about them a long time ago.

[kayakdg]

I use rubberbands to secure comb into frames. It is much easer to strech a rubberband then tie knots in string while wearing honey soaked gloves Good Luck Dan

[dcross]

Can you just move the hunk'o tree with the bees to your place? Ditto for the farm junk? Early fruit/dandelion bloom would be ideal. Salvage the brood and empty combs, crush and strain any honey.

[Bryanaw40]

thanks all for the advice.

I have already fabricated the Lusby swarm frames, bought a bag of rubber and preparing to do the cut outs.

I will wait for the apple blossoms.

thanks again,
bryan

[Troy]

It's important late in the season to save the comb as the bees are reluctant to draw comb late in the season.

If you wait until the flow starts in your area, then you don't need to save any of the comb. Give them a frame of brood from another hive and the rest new foundation. Give them some syrup to get going with and let 'em run. They have all summer to draw out the new foundation and it will be nice and straight. The swarm frames and cut comb always end up to be a mess anyway and it is a lot of work that is really not necessary at this point in the season.