Here's hoping ..

[ShaneR]

A swarm comes along, an old nuc in my back garden with 3 frames of foundation and a couple of drops of lemongrass oil in it started to get a bit of attention this afternoon up until it started to cool down, at some points there were as many as 20 + bees in the nuc checking it out, will be interesting to see if a swarm does follow

Quick video taken on my phone, crap quality I apologise for

http://youtu.be/fp1c0QygmMo

 

[oliver90owner]

They will or they won't. I don't hold my breath waiting. You don't say how long it has been there - it could just be the frames they are cleaning up of vestiges of honey or the strong smell. It may mean there is a local colony about to swarm - perhaps the beek knows that, too, and will take appropriate steps to avoid a swarm emanating. There may be another twenty locations the bees are checking out. Who knows. Good luck, just don't hold your btreath while waiting.

 

[ShaneR]

The box has been there for about 10 days now and the frames have new foundation in them, no used comb, I know the odds are stacked against it but I'll sit it out and see, it might happen

 

[oliver90owner]

I'll sit it out and see, it might happen

You are right, it might happen.

 

[Midland Beek]

at some points there were as many as 20 + bees in the nuc checking it out, ]

That might mean one is already on its way.

 

[ShaneR]

Would be nice if there is, Already in the last hour they have started coming back, just been watching them and they are very dark almost black bee's.

 

[poshpikey]

I put out a couple of bait hives with lemongrass oil a few days ago and there were twenty or so bees on both of them yesterday. They seemed very excited by the smell of the lemongrass oil.

 

[ShaneR]

Heres a pic of one just entering the box, showing just how dark they are.

 

[ShaneR]

Box has been really busy all day now, just filmed a little bit more and it really does not show how much bee traffic there is, inside the box there is a lot of bees hanging out

Another short vid http://youtu.be/q_SwYXacyRc

 

[ShaneR]

Just standing watching them now and 3 to 4 bees every couple of seconds are now entering the box, must be loads in there now

 

[Poly Hive]

I would rub down that entrance.

PH

 

[Erichalfbee]

HOW EXCITING!!!
I hope you're there when the swarm arrives.
Polyhive has a video on here with a swarm colonising one of his hives...

 

[enrico]

They do that with lemon grass oil. Hate to burst your bubble but go back tonight and it will be empty! The good thing is that they know it is there!!
E

 

[ShaneR]

I'm aware of that, I know they won't hang around unless a swarm doe's arrive. would be nice if one did though as it is something I'd like to experience..

 

[newbie]

I always thought lemon grass oil was used in insect repellents (like citronella based ones ?) anyone told the bees ?.....

 

[the beehive lodge]

Fingers crossed for you

 

[ShaneR]

Day 6 now since the bees started to show an interest .. pretty busy today until the weather changed.

http://youtu.be/V9ShJMGqyWM

 

[ShaneR]

Reckon I may have caught a small swarm / caste. Today around midday there was a lot of scouts then all of a sudden a lot of bees in the air, nothing like the full swarms I have seen videos of. Anyway, my camera batteries were flat (typical) but about an hour later it had all calmed down and I was seeing bees at the entrance arses in the air fanning, I decided to lift the lid, discovering i had forgot to put the crown board on and there was a cluster the size of a grapefruit on the underside of the lid, I closed it up again left it be.

Now I plan to put the rest of the frames in in the morning (only 3 in there) and knock them off the inner roof and fit the crown board.

 

[Erichalfbee]

If you have three frames in there I would leave them on those, dummy them down with insulation and put the inspection tray in. Keep them nice and cosy.

 

[For want of a better word]

I always thought lemon grass oil was used in insect repellents (like citronella based ones ?) anyone told the bees ?.....

Citronella is the insect repellant

Cymbopogon citratus is Lemon grass oil the bees like