I have a TBH that was so full of bees and brood that yesterday we decided to split it.
Into the new TBH I moved six bars of brood, mostly capped . One of those bars had the queen on in. I also moved a bar of honey in with them. Then I shook in the bees from eight others bars and closed it up. There were a lot of bees in there when I was done.
As I watched over the next couple of hours, a few stragglers and drones crawled in, and there was a line of bees fanning at the entrance. However, what I did not see was any bees flying. Maybe one or two, and that's it.
I realize that my shaking really only netted me nurse bees, most of whom have never flown. I also realize that any foragers I shook in went back to the old hive . I know the bees are still in there because they buzz if I tap the side of the hive.
After yesterday's trauma I would prefer to not open the hive again for a few days/weeks but this is getting pretty mysterious.
Anyone have any similar experiences ? How long until the nurses learn to forage ?:scratch:
Into the new TBH I moved six bars of brood, mostly capped . One of those bars had the queen on in. I also moved a bar of honey in with them. Then I shook in the bees from eight others bars and closed it up. There were a lot of bees in there when I was done.
As I watched over the next couple of hours, a few stragglers and drones crawled in, and there was a line of bees fanning at the entrance. However, what I did not see was any bees flying. Maybe one or two, and that's it.
I realize that my shaking really only netted me nurse bees, most of whom have never flown. I also realize that any foragers I shook in went back to the old hive . I know the bees are still in there because they buzz if I tap the side of the hive.
After yesterday's trauma I would prefer to not open the hive again for a few days/weeks but this is getting pretty mysterious.
Anyone have any similar experiences ? How long until the nurses learn to forage ?:scratch: