I have a hive that is super strong and it swarmed yesterday. It was I would consider a nice size swarm, about the size of a volleyball. They swarmed in a small elm tree about 20' off the ground. I was able to saw the tree in half and bend it over to the ground so I could work with them. I loped the limbs on both sides of the swarm and had them contained on a section of the limb. I then put the swarm on top of an empty hive body with frames of new foundation. the bees started leaving the limb and crawling down in between the frames. While the limb was still on to of the hive body I carred the hive body and placed it on the stand in the location that I thought was best for the hive. This location was about 8 feet from the hive they swarmed from. After about 10 minutes I gently jarred the limb knocking the rest of the swarm into the hive body. I had to do this about four times to get most of the bees off the limb. During this I pissed somebody off! I was bombarded by hundreds if not thousands of bees. I don't think they came from the swarm I think that came from the origional hive. Did I screw up by putting the two hives so close? I only got stung twice but they were really pissed.
What did I do wrong?
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I don't have a definitive answer to your question but I had a similar situation last Spring and I placed the swarm hive that close to the original hive. I was not as brave as you and just left the cut branch on top of the brood box.Covered it with an empty deep box and put a top on there. Later most of the bees had left the branch and I just placed the branch in front of the hive. So perhaps it was the shaking rather than the proximity to your other hive. Susan
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You might have squished a couple between the box and limb releasing alarm pheremone. To test the theory smash a couple bees on your sleeve or hat. Please take pictures cause that is really funny to everyone else than you.
Swarms are usually gentle. Swarms are usually not defensive. The key word here is "usually".
Swarms are gentle IF you are gentle with them. If you get rough, they retaliate. Example: I'm holding a box of deep F about a foot below a swarm and Shirley shakes the branch. Plop, cluster falls on the top bars. We are instantly in a cloud of bees. I took some stings on my hands and wrists holding the box. Those that spilled over the edge of box were offended by getting roughed up. No other stings for either of us.
My guess is that you roughed up some bees in dislodging them from the branch. Be gentle. You can shake them off, but don't bump em off.
Walt
My guess is that you roughed up some bees in dislodging them from the branch. Be gentle. You can shake them off, but don't bump em off.
Walt
I had a swarm lasnd last night in a nuc, small, but still its a swarm. I didnt know it at the time as i thought some old field bees were going back to the same location that i moved the Nuc from. When i took off the lid, i got hit pretty hard with the alarm pheremone, and I didnt squish any....They were not happy....
last year i hived 5 swarms in a pair of shorts and no shirt and shoes. I guess it depends on their mood!
last year i hived 5 swarms in a pair of shorts and no shirt and shoes. I guess it depends on their mood!
:lpf: And Hoxbar, if you do that, I have a bridge over the Red River I'd just love to sell you! Real cheap, by the way!
Last swarm I hived, I put the hive box under them, wore veil, no gloves, long sleeved shirt though... Grabbed the branch they were on, gave it a quick shake, down they went into the hive. Brushed the rest off the branch, and good to go! Like Mike B. says, "usually..."
Regards,
Steven
Before a swarm leaves the hive the bees filling up there stomach with honey to have enough food for the next days. Like humans, with a full stomach they are very gentle and not harm anybody.
If you find a hungry swarm hanging in a tree for more than 3 days beeee careful.
If you find a hungry swarm hanging in a tree for more than 3 days beeee careful.
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I think I figured out the problem. Yesterday afternoon I went to check on the new hive and the hive they swarmed out is very agressive. I was about 20 feet from the hive and they came out after me. They stung the crap out of me, about 15-20 stings. They followed me for about 300 yards. I've got to figure something out on this agressive hive.
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