View Full Version : Swarm capture
SD2522
05-29-2009, 04:13 PM
One of my hives ended up swarming.. I was able to capture it and due to lack of equipment placed it in 2 medium supers. Should I follow hive installation guidelines (dont visit for 7 days...install entrance reducer.. feed sugar water)? Also is there anything I should follow up on with the hive that swarmed? I also did notice that bees on the front of both my existing hives appear aggitated since I installed the swarm (bees are jacked up on their legs.. fanning ect.) yet there is no activity at all coming from the newly installed swarm hive. Thank you in advance for any information!
NasalSponge
05-29-2009, 06:55 PM
Boxing a swarm is the same as installing package bees, they are starting from scratch. I personally don't like to feed my swarms (I figure if I didn't get them they would have to fend for themselves in the wild) but if you don't have a flow going you might want to feed 1:1 to help them along. Using an entrance reducer won't hurt anything either. I have never considered fanning as
"agitated" behavior...it either means "everyone come here" or they are cooling the hive or the best reason...making honey. As far as waiting 7 days thats up to you I have no such hard fast guidelines I follow.:)
SD2522
05-29-2009, 08:12 PM
Thank you very much for your input! I appreciate it!