[Schanna]

I recently started my hive on the 4th of July weekend with a small swarm. I had swarming issues the first few days but now things seem to be doing good. I did some exploring this morning and found a feral hive in a hollow of a tree about 100 yards from my hive. From the sound of the buzzing when I got close it sounds much larger than my colony. My question is, what should i do? Or should I do anything at all? And is there anything I should be worried about? I am in the Los Angeles area near the foothills in horse country

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

I would leave the colony in the tree alone for now. In the future (next spring, perhaps) it may be the source of more bees (either a trapout or a swarm).

Do keep an eye on the colony that you hived, particularly to make sure they aren't targeted for robbing. It the entrance is full width, reducing the open area somewhat with a screen (hardware cloth) would be something to be prepared for. Certainly don't use any kind of entrance feeder (Boardman feeder) - IF you choose to feed, use a feeder that is fully internal to the hive.

 

[Schanna]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was a bit worried for my hive. They have worked pretty hard at making a new home, I didn't want that to get screwed up. I do feed but it's an internal feeder

 

[brunothefinn]

I'm in a similar situation. I had a small swarm move into a bait hive I set out about 2 months ago. One evening as I was watching them I noticed bees that were passing by but not coming to my hive. So I too went exploring and located a bee tree about a hundred yards from my KTBH. I'm thinking I need to keep another bait hive out and wait for them to swarm again.
Love Bruce