My bees are swarming!

SmithN · Post by **SmithN** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:31 pm

I've had 5 or 6 swarms this week! The reason I say 5 or 6 is the swarms in these pictures. A beekeep with 25+yrs keeping bees believes it to be 2 swarms. We hived both swarms but, later the same day the swarm collected at the "beebath" vanished. I kept 2 swarms, gave 2 away and lost 1 or 2! The pictures were taken 4-16-09 before noon.

Tired of chasing insects, Norma

Kurt Bower · Post by **Kurt Bower** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:12 am

Nice pics.
It might be time take off the entrance reducers.

Kurt

ski · Post by **ski** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:35 am

Norma,
Did the swarms come from your hives?
Ok,

Just read the title of your post.

I had a lot of swarms last year, my second year. The first couple were a lot of fun. But I quickly wanted to be catching some one elses swarms instead of mine. I also think that is why my supers of honey never got capped. Multiple swarms reduced the worker population.

Norman sure presented a lot of swarm prevention options at the last two meetings. I am checker boarding the best that I can and so far no swarms yet.

Look at the bright side it was fun catching the swarms and you have increased your hive count.

May your honey always be tasteful and your smoker always stay lit.
Ski

SmithN · Post by **SmithN** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:39 pm

Glad you like the pics Kurt. I have the entrance reducers on for mite treatments, just finishing the 3rd week and plan to remove them soon.

Thanks Ski, I quickly wanted to be chasing someone elses bees too!

Norma

ski · Post by **ski** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:58 pm

Yes sir, I am checkerboarding this year.
I am checkerboarding the best I can.
Well it wasn't good enough, got a nice 2-3 lb swarm had to be from one of my hives, it was in a small peach tree 20 feet in front of my hives about 6 feet off the ground.
Yes sir I am checkerboarding this year GRRRR.

hmmm maybe that will be the ony one. lol.