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June 12, 2013 Swarm

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:50 pm
by Jacobs
I was doing yard work when David got me and pointed out swarm activity in my fig bush. If there were 200 bees, I would be surprised. I tried to pick up the queen twice and she flew each time but returned to the bush. I put her in a queen clip in a medium nuc with 1 frame of drawn comb. Most of the group is clustered around the queen, but 8 or 9 are on the frame. The queen looks larger than a virgin queen and definitely attracts the attention of her group. Now what?

Re: June 12, 2013 Swarm

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:57 pm
by Wally
Pull a frame of brood from each of 3 hives and put with her. Release her at dusk tomorrow night.

Re: June 12, 2013 Swarm

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 7:36 pm
by Jacobs
Sounds like a plan to me.

Re: June 12, 2013 Swarm

Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:40 am
by Jacobs
I followed Wally's suggestion, and yesterday, I checked on the swarm. There is a dark, very young looking queen that has just begun laying eggs. I put a 5th frame, mostly open, with some nectar and pollen in it, to complete the nuc. Now I will give them a little time and see whether she is producing worker brood and what kind of pattern she lays.