A late season swarm plus swarm commander vs lgo update. Video

[beemandan]

I caught a good sized swarm in one of my traps a few days ago. As our nectar flow has essentially ended there isn’t going to be enough natural forage for these bees to build and provision their nest from scratch. What shall I do with them?
Also, for those who have followed my earlier posts on Swarm Commander vs lemongrass oil for swarm trap baits; an update.

https://youtu.be/_yE5KcZ8e4A

[Tennessee's Bees LLC]

why not feed them sugar syrup and give them a pollen patty every so often so that they can be strong enough to take full advantage of the fall flows?

[beemandan]

why not feed them sugar syrup and give them a pollen patty every so often so that they can be strong enough to take full advantage of the fall flows?

We don't get anything that qualifies as a fall flow. A little dribble of nectar but not even enough to get them through the winter. I'm not a fan of pollen patties. We do seem to get pollen most of the year. At the moment I'm feeding about thirty new hives. They're going through 20 gallons a week. I hope to wind that down shortly as I begin extracting and am not anxious to do so throughout our summer dearth. All the same, if I am unable to cross the river by the end of this week....they'll go into one of my local yards and I'll be feeding them. I won't let them starve.

Who knows, I may get one or two more swarms so I'll be feeding some anyway.

[beemandan]

Not looking very good at the moment. My upper limit is 1.5ft.

[beemandan]

Ok….I think it’s a done deal. I’ll have to put them somewhere locally.

[AvatarDad]

I feel your pain. Lake Lanier is 2 feet above full pool, and there has been some flooding locally. The Corp of Engineers may start closing parks and boat ramps soon. (Luckily, I'm on high ground). There's a LOT of rain.

It if funny you have weak flows there. I'm only 45 minutes away and ours is still going strong, except for the rain.

Thanks
Mike

[beemandan]

It if funny you have weak flows there. I'm only 45 minutes away and ours is still going strong, except for the rain.

We've had the most exceptional honey flow I've ever seen this year. It is definitely on a slide now. We might see a bump or two over the next couple of weeks....but overall it is done here.

[beemandan]

Sheesh! I just checked the water level at the river crossing and it is 6.5ft! It might be weeks before I can get back in there. Forget moving the swarm up to that yard. Now I have to worry about getting the spring honey off and empty supers on for sourwood. I know that's still a few weeks away but all the same its gotten my attention.