[1/33rd]

Just noticed my bees are doing something I have never seen.

There thousands of them just flying all around the box and maybe 30’ or so out in front and up above the box.

One pic shows the bees around the box and the one with the blue sky shows many bees as they appear up from the box.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

1/33rd

 

[ifixoldhouses]

looks like a swarm leaving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsXHFSoO6I4&t=85s

 

[1/33rd]

Yep, got this pic a few minutes ago...

At least the 2nd time this hive has swarmed--once was last year...

Don't know how much longer for this hobby. Can't seem to stop them...

Too high in the tree try to capture them...

 

[AHudd]

Look up "Swarming, its Control and Prevention" by L.E. Snelgrove. The boards are simple to build and their operation is not as daunting as it first seems.

Alex

 

[vtbeeguy]

you can't tie a string to a rock and throw it over the branch?

 

[1/33rd]

Naaaa, it's about 20 feet up. Two distinct clusters. Lots and Lots and Lots of bees...

Guess I will look in the hive tomorrow and take it from there...

I had put a super on earlier so I can't imagine they would be out of room...

Did notice when I did that some of the brood foundations weren't filled...

Oh well, just play it by ear now. Too darn much time and effort to just have them "fly away"!!!...

Thanks...1/33rd

 

[vtbeeguy]

20 feet ain't much. It definitely is a lot of effort to watch them just fly away. There are no neighborhood kids that could toss a ball with a string over the branch for you? Then just set up a sheet on the ground and a hive sitting on it. Give the string a hard pull to drop the bees to the ground and boom. Or maybe try standing on a ladder to give you the extra height you need to throw the thing over the branch. Just seems crazy to watch a prime swarm fly away cause it's a mere 20 ft up. But it's your bees good luck

 

[1/33rd]

Called guy I got the bees from a couple of years ago and he came and we caputed the swarm. There actually were 2 swarms. We got the one for sure, but the second one maybe not. The dropped into the box, but part maybe returned to the original swarm location. Still many remained in the box. Guess I will check tomorrow morning and if maybe drop the limb and put it in front of the box. This is what the guy who help me suggested...

So all was not lost. actually, probably to my benefit as I now have another hive, hopefully another one if I got the queen...

That was the first time I saw swarms being captured. Doesn't seem to difficult...

1/33...

 

[aran]

Look up "Swarming, its Control and Prevention" by L.E. Snelgrove. The boards are simple to build and their operation is not as daunting as it first seems.

Alex

couldnt agree more. Nancy put me on to these boards. Took about 20mins to make from scrap and is extremely effective at preventing swarms. Makes lovely big mated queens for increase/sale also.

 

[1/33rd]

couldnt agree more. Nancy put me on to these boards. Took about 20mins to make from scrap and is extremely effective at preventing swarms. Makes lovely big mated queens for increase/sale also.

I found the book he wrote. Is that what you mean. Or is there a link to the actual design and plans to make these boards?

Thanks...1/33rd

 

[aran]

I found the book he wrote. Is that what you mean. Or is there a link to the actual design and plans to make these boards?

Thanks...1/33rd

i had a look at a bought one and copied it.

 

[AHudd]

couldnt agree more. Nancy put me on to these boards. Took about 20mins to make from scrap and is extremely effective at preventing swarms. Makes lovely big mated queens for increase/sale also.

Nancy also, put me onto them.

 

[AHudd]

I found the book he wrote. Is that what you mean. Or is there a link to the actual design and plans to make these boards?

Thanks...1/33rd

There is a free pdf. of the booklet that Snelgrove wrote, that shows how to build them, but a better way is shown by Wally Shaw in, :The Many Uses of a Snelgrove Board". Part II I think. Instead of wedges it employs trapizoid shaped doors screwed into the board.

Alex