Found a swarm

[Bill_J]

Second year having bees so looking for some advice regarding a nearby swarm. I did a split (artifical swarm) in May this year and all seemed to go well. However, in July the number of bees in one half of the split seemed to deteriorate slightly. I put this down to a new queen taking her time getting into her stride. I left them to it and, sure enough, they did OK and brought in plenty of stores. I didnt take any honey from them, treated for mites and secured their hive for the winter. All good.

Moving forward to yesterday - I was cutting back some overgrown shrubs around an old out building (derelict cottage, now cattle shed) in a neighbouring field (200 metres from my hives) and became aware of a bunch of bees around my face. I noticed them entering and exiting from a hole in the brickwork, where a old window had been bricked up and presumably there's a cavity inside. I put on my suit and had a closer look. Sure enough, through the hole I can see wild comb. Now, the most likely scenario is that a cast from my artificial swarm has made a new home here I assume? The question I have is when would be the best time to retrieve the swarm? The old building where they've taken residence is unused and they are doing no harm. Should I leave them to over-winter where they are and collect them next Spring? Or should I act now? I can see risks with both methods...what do the more experienced beekeepers on here think?

 

[victor meldrew]

Second year having bees so looking for some advice regarding a nearby swarm. I did a split (artifical swarm) in May this year and all seemed to go well. However, in July the number of bees in one half of the split seemed to deteriorate slightly. I put this down to a new queen taking her time getting into her stride. I left them to it and, sure enough, they did OK and brought in plenty of stores. I didnt take any honey from them, treated for mites and secured their hive for the winter. All good.

Moving forward to yesterday - I was cutting back some overgrown shrubs around an old out building (derelict cottage, now cattle shed) in a neighbouring field (200 metres from my hives) and became aware of a bunch of bees around my face. I noticed them entering and exiting from a hole in the brickwork, where a old window had been bricked up and presumably there's a cavity inside. I put on my suit and had a closer look. Sure enough, through the hole I can see wild comb. Now, the most likely scenario is that a cast from my artificial swarm has made a new home here I assume? The question I have is when would be the best time to retrieve the swarm? The old building where they've taken residence is unused and they are doing no harm. Should I leave them to over-winter where they are and collect them next Spring? Or should I act now? I can see risks with both methods...what do the more experienced beekeepers on here think?

I should leave them alone ! You know where they are .
They’ll be stocking up on Ivy and sheltered stands of Balsam .
Spring time is the better time , if at all !

 

[Apple]

Let alone till next April / May
Cut them out on a nice warm day and once in a box fit a QX and leave for a couple of days to settle in... feed them.
Move them 3 miles away on a fine evening once all bees are home and roosted, leave for a few weeks, check them over for disease and then return them to your apiary.
Chons da

 

[hemo]

Probably best first to get the land owners permission unless of course it is your property.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

You might want to think about improving their situation in situ. Could their weather-proofing be improved to protect them over winter, without disturbing them? Some insulation on the inside or outside or both, possibly.

CVB

 

[Swarm]

Leave them as they are and deal with them in Spring.