Combining bees, need some input.

[BeeGhost]

So I am in the process of a trap-out and will be pulling the first set tomorrow. I was thinking of putting them in a nuc and giving them a frame of eggs to make a queen, but instead, one of my swarm hives is getting smaller in population so I was thinking of shaking them into that hive. I am not positive if the queen is there or not. So would it be best to do a paper combine instead and add a frame of eggs to the swarm just incase they are queenless?

What would you do?

[jmgi]

I would see if they need a queen by giving them a frame of eggs first, then you can decide what you want to do. John

[Maddox65804]

Beeghost,

you should really read Cleo Hogan's posts in the trap-out forum. That man has revolutionized the trap out design. If his methods were used, then you wouldn't have a need to combine.

Trap-outs done the old fashioned way are such a lose-lose-lose. the bees lose because we kill the hive and don't save any of the genetics. Beekeepers lose because we don't get anything but old bees or bees who've been forced into early exodus from the hive. The client loses because it costs them more money for us to do a trap out than it would if we did a simple cut-out.

Cleo's methods turn this lose-lose-lose situation into a win-win-lose. The bees win because we can now save the genetics and the hive is not forced to die slowly (like traditional trap outs). The beekeeper gets good bees AND the all so important genetics of hives that have survived without any help (THOSE are the genetics we need to be propagating!). The client still has to pay - but that is how I make my living!

Check him out. He's very friendly and willing to help anyone who asks.

[BeeGhost]

I am going to try and get the queen, but figured I would knock down the population of the tree hive a bit and help my already hived bees out a bit with a population boost at the same time. I checked it yesterday really quick and there are plenty of bees in the box, but they also found another way into the tree cavity, so I will be removing the current trap out structure and reset things more secure with foam padding to help seal the cracks.

When I get the trap going again, I will put a frame of brood in to try and get the queen as I really do want to get her for genetics.

Thanks for your responses! And Yes, Cleo has been a wealth of knowledge on this subject, no doubt!