Have I caught a swarm?

[Craig1961]

Hi,
After taking advice from the forum last time I thought I had attracted a swarm, I have removed the food from the hive (along with 42 dead bees, Prob through fighting)
I moved the hive near to the quarry lake, south facing, high on a bank. I have some old comb and pheramone in there. Today I have noticed a lot... Loads, in fact, hovering around and in and out.
Could this be the beggining of a swarm? How will I know if a queen has moved in.
Very excited as this is my first attempt at beekeeping and swarm catching.

Craig
(Aged 49 1/2)

 

[mexbigshow]

sounds like you might have a swarm in there, watch the bees entering the hive to see if they are taking pollen in, open the hive up to check for a queen or see if theres any eggs or larvae in the comb

 

[Craig1961]

Thanks for that.
Should I leave it a few days or weeks...... or have a look now (early in the morning)

 

[RogueDrone]

I would say just go and listen at dusk If a colony has moved in the hive will have a buzz if they were just inspecting then all will be quite as they have returned home.

 

[Tom Bick]

It sounds more like scout bees to me.

If I was to see comings and goings with purpose then I would think a swarm had arrived.

Either way it is promising, watch and enjoy

 

[danro]

I had a "cloud" of bees around two of my bait hives a few weeks ago when it was warm.
Nothing came of it. But I did get a small cast in the third hive
Good luck! I hope you have new residents

Danny

 

[oliver90owner]

see if they are taking pollen in

Not always. They may just be a cast.

Could this be the beggining of a swarm?

It will either be a swarm with a queen, or it won't be a swarm at all. No half measures. Scouts check out the location and if the best option available for them they move in all at once.

As RogueDrone says, check at dusk. There is always the risk of them absconding, so interfering with them is not to be recommended, unless you know what you are doing.

Moving them to a new location several miles from their origin would hopefully reduce the risk of abscondment, as would placing a queen excluder below the brood box (very temporarily) - remember, if a cast, the virgin will soon need to leave to mate, and if a prime, they will soon have brood to help retain them. Feeding after about three days (when they have used up the stores brought from their old hive, possibly with disease spores present) would also help to keep them and aid comb building.

Remember, though, the bees' keeper may have thwarted you by carrying out an artificial swarm on the potential parent hive, so don't get over excited until they really do take up residence.

Best of luck, RAB

 

[RoseCottage]

Craig,
It may be a swarm or just some inquisitive or acquisitive bees scavenging. Often a little bit of hive residue (comb, honey, etc) can draw quite a crowd for a number of days.
I left out some old frames to clean brace comb off them and got caught out by a rain shower. When I went back outside there were some thousand bees on them including several bumblebee species, wasps, honeybees, and hornets. I had to kit up to remove the frames to safety (dont want to spread disease - not that I have any but following the non sharing of needles principle).

I took some pictures that show when stealing food they all are happy being close up and bumbles, wasps, and honeybees are happy while literally standing on top of each other without falling out. The hornet was slightly different as she was much more timid and kept away from the others. She allowed me to show my knowledge of their behaviour to the postman...I tried to pick her up and she fled the scene (they are not at all confrontational),

All the best,
Sam
Age 46 and a half

 

[Craig1961]

Thanks everyone.
Hoping for a nice warm, calm day today.... Ideal for moving house. The idea that the original keeper has swarmed the bees has crossed my mind. Will observe from a distance and check for queen next Monday. I will be moving them some 23 miles away if and when I get 'em...
will keep you posted.
Anyone going to Hay-on-Wye auction on Saturday?

 

[RogueDrone]

Hay on wye is possible but see what weather is up to. do you know the apiary?