Absconded again!

2102 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by milwaukee_natural_bees, May 13, 2010

Wyldbee

Discussion Starter · #1 · May 12, 2010

I am in need of ideas or explanations.
I have had a second package of bees abscond.
I do not know what I am doing wrong, but it must be something. Please advise if you can.

I installed my new package in TBH on Sunday, late afternoon. Gave them 1:1 syrup sw with HBH and a pollen patty.
Left them alone until today.
Today I removed the queen cage, she had been released by the bees.
Gave them a piece of empty starter comb from my other hive to get started with.
Closed up the hive.
Just checked 4 hours later, They are gone!

These are a few pictures one of the hive and one of the cage. I know if I did not get this cage out it would have been trouble leading to messed up comb.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a...TVm3ZM2YPbz4K/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a...TVm3ZM2YPbz4K/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Disappointed in Virginia

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Robee

· Registered

Joined Dec 9, 2007

101 Posts

#5 · May 13, 2010

I'll agree with the others, close up the bottom. Plug one or 2 of the entrance holes for a few days.
Are you using 2 follower boards since you have side entrances? If you are, don't give them a home more than about 10 bars wide to start with.
Don't give up, this is a very rewarding hobby.
Robee