Swarm practice

[Eddie M]

This afternoon at 3 PM a huge number of bees came out of the hive on an overcast day with predictions of thunderstorms. Most of them formed a beard from the entrance to the telescoping cover. This hive has 2 brood cambers and 1 shallow. Another huge number were flying around overhead. I put a hive with some drawn comb nearby hoping they settle there, but at 4 PM they all went back into their own hive. The air temperature was about 67 degrees.

Do you think this is a dress rehearsal for a soon to be swarm?
I went to the health food store to buy some Lemon Grass oil and they sold me Lemon Balm saying this is the same thing. Would you agree?

[Ted n Ms]

This probaly was a happy flight. Young bees taking an orientation flight.

[beekeeperlady]

lemon balm is not the same thing.. it is a plant member of the mint family. leaves. stems that are squarish.. lemon grass oil is just that oil from lemon grass.. different chemical makeup.get the lemon grass oil that will work better. i dont think the health food store people understand what you need it for or really know why... it might smell the same and has the same effect for aroma therapy. but not for.. bee bait lol..

[Eddie M]

I don't think this was a happy flight!! I watch that happen every day where many of them come out and circle around then go back in. This was a mega number of bees.

Where would I get some lemon grass oil?

[beekeeperlady]

if you need it fast.. find a retailer that sells now foods generally they also have now oils.. that is what i geta good quality. im not sure what zip in erie your in but i picked the middle one then did a find in 70 miles store finder. you can call them and see if anyone has it. if you dont mind waiting. i know there are people that sell it on ebay.. i do not know how good the oil is.. but it must be ok as i rarely see any complaints..


http://www.nowfoods.com/Products/Pro...ersonal%20Care

FEEL-RITE HEALTH FOOD SHOPPERS (251 - 500 Items) 4.05 mile(s)
6000 S. PARK AVENUE
HAMBURG, NY 14075
716-649-6694
Map

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FEEL-RITE HEALTH FOOD SHOPPERS (101 - 250 Items) 4.95 mile(s)
3521 SENECA ST
W.SENECA, NY 14224
716-675-6620
Map

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MARLENE & PHIL'S VIT' & HERBS (251 - 500 Items) 9.87 mile(s)
5855 TRANSIT ROAD
DEPEW, NY 14043
716-683-0256
Map

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FEEL-RITE NAT & GOURMET (251 - 500 Items) 11.23 mile(s)
2141 DELAWARE AVENUE
BUFFALO, NY 14216
716-837-7661
Map

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FEEL-RITE HEALTH FOODS #3 (251 - 500 Items) 12.73 mile(s)
3912 MAPLE ROAD.
AMHURST, NY 14226
716-834-3385
Map | Contact

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COUNTRY CUPBOARD (101 - 250 Items) 13.38 mile(s)
187 MAIN STREET
EAST AURORA, NY 14052
716-652-9115
Map

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FEEL-RITE HEALTH FOOD SHOPPERS (251 - 500 Items) 14.28 mile(s)
5425 TRANSIT ROAD.
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221
716-636-1000
Map

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PINE PHARMACY (101 - 250 Items) 14.28 mile(s)
5110 MAIN ST SUITE 101
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221
716-332-2288
Map | Contact

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OLIVE BRANCH (101 - 250 Items) 35.09 mile(s)
306 ELLICOTT ST
BATAVIA, NY 14020
585-344-0722
Map

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WILDFLOWER NATURAL FOODS (251 - 500 Items) 37.11 mile(s)
11398 MAPLE RIDGE RD
MEDINA, NY 14103
716-798-0555
Map

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LAKEWOOD APOTHECARY & NATURAL H.C. (101 - 250 Items) 54.02 mile(s)
130 CHAUTAUGUA AVE
LAKEWOOD, NY 14750
716-763-0016
Map

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LORI'S NATURAL FOODS CTR INC (101 - 250 Items) 63.70 mile(s)
900 JEFFERSON ROAD
ROCHESTER, NY 14623
585-424-2323
Map | Contact

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H & W ZIMBRICH INC DBA NATURAL FOODS (101 - 250 Items) 63.77 mile(s)
1135 LONG POND RD
ROCHESTER, NY 14626
716-225-3460
Map

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ABUNDANCE CO-OP MARKET (20 - 50 Items) 67.31 mile(s)
62 MARSHALL ST.
ROCHESTER, NY 14607
585-454-2667
Map | Contact

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[Parke County Queen]

That happened to me and it turns out the queen could not fly. The bees finally got her out, but she was on the ground. I picked her up and split the hive. that way, they think they have already swarmed. It worked.

[Eddie M]

Beekeeperlady..........thanks for the addresses. I'm not sure how the "erie" got in there. I'm really north of buffalo. I called and the closest one and they have LGO!!! I'm on my way.

Parke County Queen............I hope that is just what happens here. I'll be back from the store shortly and checking on the girls...

Thanks to both of you............Ed

[Parke County Queen]

That happened to me and it turns out the queen could not fly. The bees finally got her out, but she was on the ground. I picked her up and split the hive. that way, they think they have already swarmed. It worked.

[Eddie M]

Well, yesterday I did notice a softball size mass of bees under the landing board. Now I wonder if the queen was in that mass? I didn't think to look. I did see them all crawl back into the hive so I didn't swarm yesterday.

I just came in from opening up the hive and found the shallow super filled and capped. I put a new shallow of foundation on top of the 2 broods and then a bee "trap or excluder" then the filled shallow. The nights have been cool here so they will probably evacuate in one day. I'll spin out the honey and place that shallow back on the hive. That should give them room for now. Lifting the hive from the back says they have plenty more honey stored in the broods.

If they do swarm I'll be ready. Thanks everyone........Ed

[Eddie M]

Well I just got in from successfully capturing a swarm. Luckily they landed in a lilac bush in my neighbors yard. Maybe they do practice!! Thanks to all again.