Saturday, March 31, 2012

Swarm Call

I got a call at 12:30 today with a woman sawing there were honey bees all over the ground and it looked to be like several thousand. I asked her to describe it and she said honey bees in two blobs on the ground about the size of phone books across the street from the high school and on the sidewalk....

I asked her if she knew the difference between yellow jackets that live in the ground and honey bees and she responded "Yes I know the difference.... I am not an idiot. I am alregic to honey bees and not yellow jackets and these are honey bees!"

I got there and sure enough it was a swarm!




Only one problem.... I found the queen and she was lying on the ground like she was hurt..... I dont know how it happened, but I doubt she will make it. That explains why the swarm was on the ground. I placed a frame of eggs in the box from a hive that has a queen I like.... Maybe I can get them to make a new queen....

7 comments:

  1. when I looked at these photos, I could not imagine why a swarm would be sprawled out on the ground. Injured queen answers that question. Perhaps this might be one situation where investing in a purchased queen might be worth it? I just wonder if the stress of swarming, damaged queen and new home might limit their ability to produce a queen in the necessary time frame. This was really interesting - thanks for posting!

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  2. I don't think I could find a queen in that bunch. I'm lucky if I can find a queen in my own hive. LOL!

    I hope the new bunch re-queens and flourishes!

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  3. I like that you went and saved this bunch of girls. Looks like they marched right into to the box!

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  4. do you use a pheromone lure? ...what do you have in the box to get them "march in" like that?

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    1. you dont have to add anything. If the bees realize its a home, they will all start scenting and bring the others in for you. It just takes a lot of time.

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    2. You can add a frame of previously used built out comb. They bees will walk right onto it and feel immediately at home!

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