bluwtrdiver
05-06-2009, 06:00 AM
Two evenings ago while out working my hives, I heard the unmistakable sound of a swarm in process within stone throwing distance of my hives. I followed the sound and watched as the bee filled air slowly compressed to a huge basketball sized swarm in the top of an oak tree about 50 ft up. I would have to think that this is a feral swarm because there are no other beekeepers in close proximity to me and the fact that I had been out there working my hives for about an hour, it had not originated from one of mine.
However, because they swarmed so late in the day, they spent the night there, and stayed put throughout a couple of pretty heavy storms yesterday
and were still there as dusk fell on them for a second day.
I have (2) 5-frame nuc swarm traps (scented with lemongrass oil with a frame of old comb and the rest foundation, that are located within 100 yards of the swarm, both about 10 ft up in trees. The swarm appears to large for the scout bees to consider them suitable, so I rigged up a 2 high meduim trap and placed it on a picnic table which is located at the edge of the woods (50 yards fom the swarm location.
Any other suggestions, anyone can offer to increase my chances of catching them? Thanks
However, because they swarmed so late in the day, they spent the night there, and stayed put throughout a couple of pretty heavy storms yesterday
and were still there as dusk fell on them for a second day.
I have (2) 5-frame nuc swarm traps (scented with lemongrass oil with a frame of old comb and the rest foundation, that are located within 100 yards of the swarm, both about 10 ft up in trees. The swarm appears to large for the scout bees to consider them suitable, so I rigged up a 2 high meduim trap and placed it on a picnic table which is located at the edge of the woods (50 yards fom the swarm location.
Any other suggestions, anyone can offer to increase my chances of catching them? Thanks