[dixiebooks]

How far do swarms typically travel from the mother hive before establishing a cluster? I am looking for the max distance and, more importantly, the "average" distance - if there is such a thing. I realize that once the scouts locate a permanent home, the colony may wind up even farther from the mother hive, but for now I am just interested in the distance from mother hive to cluster. Thanks. -James

 

[dixiebooks]

Fish stick, Im glad you gave us those three decimal points on the distances..........Thanks for the info.

ROFLMAO, Jerry. Nothing like good sarcastic wit. Seriously, thanks, all. And FishStix, that IS great info to know.

I "caught" my swarm (now my one and only hive) about 75 feet up in a tulip poplar. There *should* be a mother hive within 100 yards of that, no? I looked around the area with no luck, thus far. I have moved that hive to a distant area about a month ago. However, there are foraging bees in the vicinity of where this one clustered. So, I am thinking there is at least one feral hive in the area. Perhaps two, as most of the bees are "normal" looking while a minority are smaller and much darker (true 'feral' bees?). The nearest known apiary is 1 mile away but bees observed departing the forage area left in the opposite direction of the known apiary.

Sure would like to find a feral hive to tap.

-james

 

[dixiebooks]

fish stix: it was easy. I had to deeps in the trunk of my car about 100 yards from the swarm tree. Each deep had 10 frames of drawn comb, some with honey. I opened the trunk and within about 2 seconds, scouts from the swarm found it. They returned to the swarm and told the rest about it. I guess they had a town hall meeting and voted to take up residence in the deeps. So, I didn't even need to shinny up that tree. Good thing, too, as I don't shinny so well any more.

The info you posted really did confirm suspicions I had. I need to re-search the area around where the swarm coalesced for some "wild" hives. Also, I may out more traps in that general vicinity ( I have 2, now ) and put at least one near where my hive is currently located, in case my own hive swarms.

BTW, what did you post that was so "political' it had to be deleted? you may PM me, if you want.

-james