first swarm

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reaper2613
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Joined: June 23rd, 2017, 9:59 am

first swarm

Unread post by reaper2613 »

Ok guys got a question for ya. Set out a hive on Monday and put some lemongrass oil on there on Wednesday. Thursday night I come home from work and I have bees going in and out. So it is currently Friday and there are still bees coming in and out. My question is should I leave the swarm alone or can I open the hive without worries of them swarming again? If I should leave it how long? Never caught a swarm before.
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BadBeeKeeper
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Re: first swarm

Unread post by BadBeeKeeper »

Was there already-drawn comb in there? If so, then I might be inclined to take a peek.
Allen Dick
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Re: first swarm

Unread post by Allen Dick »

Bees coming and going? Are they carrying pollen? If so, they are settled and won't leave.
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reaper2613
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Re: first swarm

Unread post by reaper2613 »

Well I just couldn't wait any longer. So this morning I got up early and opened the hive. What I found was about 1000 bees with a confirmed queen. It did not have any drawn comb but they are drawing it out. Seems like a smaller swarm but then again I've never caught one. What do you guys think. Is there anything I should be doing to help them get established. I've never started a new hive this late in the year
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Re: first swarm

Unread post by Allen Dick »

This is an ideal time. 1000 bees seems a bit small, so it is likely an afterswarm and will need to be boosted with brood and bees from another hive IMO. You can just transplant a frame with bees and a patch of emerging brood into it some nice day with no special precautions. Then maybe repeat it again later.
Allen Dick, RR#1 Swalwell, Alberta, Canada T0M 1Y0
51° 33'39.64"N 113°18'52.45"W
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/Allen%27s%20Beehives.kmz
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