How long in a cluster

[BCBEE]

Talking to a mate in cormwall last night (non beekeeper) he says he has a swarm thats been in a tree on his property for over a week ( a week sunday when he first saw it) Is this a record? I always thought that 2-3 days at most and they would be off. he doesnt even know where they have come from. Definately honey bees. been there in rain wind etc. i would have thought they would be getting a bit hungry by now

Phill

 

[drstitson]

"i would have thought they would be getting a bit hungry by now"

they'll have started drawing comb and foraging from that site.

not uncommon for colonies to establish themselves outdoors. plenty of photos have been posted on here.

 

[beeno]

Hi Phill,
I have collected two swarms that had been clustered in trees for a week. One was sitting there through bad weather and the outer bees on the cluster started to die. Not unusual it seems. I wonder what would happen if they did not get collected? Would they move off eventually?

 

[Queens59]

I had a swarm 70+ft up a tree for 10 days last year...Gradually died as it was torrential rain at the time...and we couldn't reach them at all.

 

[drstitson]

"Would they move off eventually?"

not once brood present.

would likely die come winter.

 

[BCBEE]

Thanks all. just shows its a continual learning process this beekeeping lark. if thet are still there september whern i go down i will collect them Myself LOL
Phill

 

[sandysman]

Why, have you no sense of adventure?

 

[sandysman]

I had a swarm 70+ft up a tree for 10 days last year...Gradually died as it was torrential rain at the time...and we couldn't reach them at all.

Why, have you no sense of adventure?

 

[Cazza]

Talking to a mate in cormwall last night (non beekeeper) he says he has a swarm thats been in a tree on his property for over a week ( a week sunday when he first saw it) Is this a record? I always thought that 2-3 days at most and they would be off. he doesnt even know where they have come from. Definately honey bees. been there in rain wind etc. i would have thought they would be getting a bit hungry by now

Phill

Last year my record was over two weeks. Too high up to collect. I watched the cluster grow smaller until eventually they moved into a bait hive below them.
Cazza

 

[blackcavebees]

"Would they move off eventually?"

not once brood present.

would likely die come winter.

Shows the bees don't always know best