How long can a swarm survive outside?

[Panteg]

I have a swarm 30ft up an inaccessable tree. It looks like they are heading for their third night out. They obviously haven't seen the forecast for the next couple of days - it's terrible! There is a lovely warm dry bait hive within sight of the tree. Any tips or are they doomed??

 

[rae]

Does the bait hive have some manky old brood comb in it? Lemon grass is another attractant.

Sometimes they just behave very irrationally.

 

[Heather]

Long thick pole (tree pruner) with boat hook or similar firmly strapped to it- then attach a frame of brood to that and rest as near to the swarm as pos. After an hour they have usually descended to cover the brood- then (two people holding) lower the pole to the ground.
Worked for me.

 

[oliver90owner]

they are heading for their third night out.

To answer your question - a week is not so very common but they would be OK. If they don't move they will eventually start building comb, which may last until the wasps or into the winter, but likely not through it.

RAB

 

[Panteg]

Would that be IN a tree trunk or similar? These are clinging on to not much more than twigs on the end of a branch.

 

[Queens59]

We have had a swarm in a similar position:

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18118

They have been there for 9-10 days or 8-9, but show no signs of moving - I think they have forgotten they are a swarm. Can't reach by ladder/Throwing stuff failed/TPO so can't cut etc/ignoring 3 bait hives...get the picture?

 

[Heather]

They have been there for 9-10 days or 8-9, but show no signs of moving - I think they have forgotten they are a swarm. Can't reach by ladder/Throwing stuff failed/TPO so can't cut etc/ignoring 3 bait hives...get the picture?

I was up the ladder when I held the 20' pole- and resting the brood frame on a branch, so that gained me the extra 10'

 

[susbees]

Would that be IN a tree trunk or similar? These are clinging on to not much more than twigs on the end of a branch.

When you say inaccessible what do you mean...nowhere to pitch a ladder. We use 22 foot pole saw and extra pole with a florists' bucket (30 foot) and a ladder if it can be secured. Having farmer friends with a teleporter can be useful at times to. If you're anywhere near Monty let me know by PM...

 

[VEG]

Panteg what area are the bees located in and what type of tree

 

[Andy Duff]

I have seen this done once and it worked-
Take half a bale of straw place under tree (needs to be a calm day). Set light to straw, once burning throw cups of water into flames (try not to set fire to tree), bees bugger off hopefully to somewhere more convenient. Oh forgot to mention you will need an assistant to either put out fire or call fire brigade.
Good luck!

 

[susbees]

I have seen this done once and it worked-
Take half a bale of straw place under tree (needs to be a calm day). Set light to straw, once burning throw cups of water into flames (try not to set fire to tree), bees bugger off hopefully to somewhere more convenient. Oh forgot to mention you will need an assistant to either put out fire or call fire brigade.
Good luck!

Do that in the Marches and they'll likely have the police round in minutes...we've had them appear when we had an evening bonfire!

 

[nonstandard]

Spotted a vid on youtube the other day, I can't find that one but this one will give you the idea.

Big office type water bottle with the bottom cut out, mounted on decorating poles, cover the bees, *** the branch and then unscrew the poles as fast as you can.

I'm sure it could be improved with a little bit of thought like some kind of drawstring bag inside or similar.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHc7bcIh6yw[/ame]

 

[Panteg]

Hi Susbees,

I live in Knighton. I had another look this morning. They are nearer 20 than 30 ft up from the ground. It might be possible for someone far more agile than me to climb some way up but frankly I wouldn't risk it and wouldn't expect anyone else to.
This is the first year I have had a swarm, presumably in this weather they are better in remaining in formation rather than being shaken and all getting wet and cold? If they are still alive when the weather bucks up I'll have another think about the suggestions above. (though probably not the bonfire approach - not least because there are two hives directly underneath the same tree!)
In answer to a couple of the other responses, it's an old very large apple tree and I do have lemon grass in the bait hive but no old comb - none to spare.
Cheers
Sheila

 

[Swarm]

I've used a long pole with a landing net strapped to it and a sack fitted instead of the net. With luck the sack should fit around them completely and with a *** at the branch they should fall inside. Finding a long enough pole is probably your hardest job.