I'M Getting Surplus From a Swarm

[Hambone]

I caught a swarm 4/8/09. About volleyball size. It filled up 3 medium frames when hived. My goal was to build them up this year to get ready for next. No surplus expected. They were slowly building on crimp wire foundation. I have been reading about foundationless frames for a while. So I decided to pull the 5 remaining c/w frames and replaced with foundationless. So since 4/8/09 –July 3rd. They have drawn out 3 medium boxes. With the 3rd being capped honey. Just put on the 4th. This little swarm is out performing all of my other hives. I have been watching all my hives closely to see which one I would split or try to rear some queens from. I think I found a winner.

On a side note. They are drawing the foundationless frames out beautifully. I know everything is tied to the flow, but they really seemed to go gang busters once they went foundationless.

[Noelle]

Thanks for the inspiration! I'm gonna go pull out some of the foundation frames that have not been drawn out yet.

[kaisfate]

Nobody likes a bragger Derek :)

[kwest]

do you find that they draw foundationless quicker on a regular basis or is this just one heck of a hive? I have 1 hive on ritecell wax covered foundation and the hive is becoming pretty strong but foundation drawing is going slow. Derek I think I might try the same thing thanks for the tip.

[m.zook]

Is this another one of your jokes..lol:applause:

[BRescue]

Do you think you would have the same response if you were using deep frames?

[Slee]

Hey Derek
Did you ever have a chance to check on those bees in Grand Pairie on Graigs List?
Steve

[terri lynn]

How do you go about extracting foundationless frames? It seems to me that the foundation is what keeps the comb on the frame. Or are you planning to use it for honey with the comb in?

[Hambone]

Nobody likes a bragger Derek :)

There are so many things I could say right now. Got some rain today, Daytona, supers are full.... But I will keep my mouth closed. :D Were ya been? Still love your blog. Your doing great. Keep it up.


do you find that they draw foundationless quicker on a regular basis or is this just one heck of a hive? I have 1 hive on ritecell wax covered foundation and the hive is becoming pretty strong but foundation drawing is going slow. Derek I think I might try the same thing thanks for the tip.

I really don't know kwest. But the drew their frames really quick. Simular to my TBH. I pulled a couple of frames of my slower builders and put them on foundationless. So I can report back in a couple of weeks. Could be a heck of a hive though.


Is this another one of your jokes..lol:applause:

I went and rechecked tonight. It was a hugh nest of yellow jackets. Please disreguard other post. :p


Do you think you would have the same response if you were using deep frames?

I don't use deeps. They are to dang heavy. I would have the same results though. Except I would not be adding a 4th medium. The 3rd deep would not be full yet.


Hey Derek
Did you ever have a chance to check on those bees in Grand Pairie on Graigs List?
Steve


I didn't. Got busy and then went out of town. PM on the way.

[beyondthesidewalks]

I'm right down IH45 from you and we've had a nice wet spring but the last month has been very dry. We had 1" of rain overnight and the mesquite is still putting out fresh blooms with beans hanging. That rain should keep the flow going. I also have a swarm that I caught in a swarm trap a few weeks ago that is going great gangbusters. I think that swarms have a propensity to do very well in a good flow. The bees almost seem excited and really get about the business of drawing comb and filling it. Mine is much later than yours and I'll be happy if they make enough stores to finish winter without any supplemental feeding. Keep us posted on your progress with that hive.

[Hambone]

Agreed. But these gals are just packing it in. And they don't have the number of bees my others do. And they are catching them. In honey stores.

Congrats on that 1". We got 2/10. I will take what I can get though. My Mesquites are beaning and putting off new bloom too. Strange. I'll take it.

[BEES4U]

Once upon a time in the orange and sage zone of Ventura, Calif. the old timers said that you lost a can of honey, that's 5 gallons = 60 pounds. if your bees swarmed
Enjoy,
Ernie