20 days ago I purchased a 5 frame nuc. I installed it in a 10 frame deep with the 5 frames from the nuc and 5 old frames that were pretty much drawn out. Then, I didn't touch them. I figured I'd give them 3 weeks to a month left along until I checked and added a second deep.
Well, yesterday, just before the heavy rain, that hive swarmed! Lucky for me, they landed in a sapling about 8 feet tall and gathered. Being my first ever swarm, I thought, EASY! Just cut the branch off, shake them into a nuc box with frames and comb and I'll be a all set... So, I did that and it Was easy!
1 Hour later I looked out the window and there was NO activity by the nuc box. So, I went to check and, to my surprise, there wasn't a single bee in the box anymore! I guess the queen hadn't joined them yet. Go figure!
I looked around the yard and found them again. This time out of reach and up about 30 feet. I took a poll saw and trimed the branches around the swarm so I may be able to drop them onto a white sheet and recatch them.
So, it poured all night and this morning. It isn't clearing, but the rain has ended and there is a breeze. Can I:
1) Put down a white sheet and thake that branch (or cut it) and them drop onto the sheet and then dump them in the nuc with 3 deep frames it if for starters?
2) How do I keep them there so they don't just leave again?
3) Is 3 frames in a 5 frame nuc enough for starters?
4) I put some lemmon oil and lemon grass oil in a piece of paper tower and put it in the nuc. Is that good?
5) Do I have a better chance leaving them along and hoping they go into the nuc by themselves?
6) Would I be able to catch them by shaking them ut of the tree or clipping that branch off and letting them fall to a white sheet?
I have 1 hive right now (the one that swarmed). If I can catch them, do I need to move the nuc (captured swarm) as far away from my other hive or can I put it next to it. (I used to have 2 hive side by side)
Thanks everyone! I just couldn't believe they filled that 1st deep in 20 days and swarmed! My ONLY hive this year!!
Bob
Well, yesterday, just before the heavy rain, that hive swarmed! Lucky for me, they landed in a sapling about 8 feet tall and gathered. Being my first ever swarm, I thought, EASY! Just cut the branch off, shake them into a nuc box with frames and comb and I'll be a all set... So, I did that and it Was easy!
1 Hour later I looked out the window and there was NO activity by the nuc box. So, I went to check and, to my surprise, there wasn't a single bee in the box anymore! I guess the queen hadn't joined them yet. Go figure!
I looked around the yard and found them again. This time out of reach and up about 30 feet. I took a poll saw and trimed the branches around the swarm so I may be able to drop them onto a white sheet and recatch them.
So, it poured all night and this morning. It isn't clearing, but the rain has ended and there is a breeze. Can I:
1) Put down a white sheet and thake that branch (or cut it) and them drop onto the sheet and then dump them in the nuc with 3 deep frames it if for starters?
2) How do I keep them there so they don't just leave again?
3) Is 3 frames in a 5 frame nuc enough for starters?
4) I put some lemmon oil and lemon grass oil in a piece of paper tower and put it in the nuc. Is that good?
5) Do I have a better chance leaving them along and hoping they go into the nuc by themselves?
6) Would I be able to catch them by shaking them ut of the tree or clipping that branch off and letting them fall to a white sheet?
I have 1 hive right now (the one that swarmed). If I can catch them, do I need to move the nuc (captured swarm) as far away from my other hive or can I put it next to it. (I used to have 2 hive side by side)
Thanks everyone! I just couldn't believe they filled that 1st deep in 20 days and swarmed! My ONLY hive this year!!
Bob