just collected a swarm - another late one

[beesleybees]

Hi guys,

I have just collected a good sized swarm from a bush in someones front garden. Shook them directly into a nuc i knocked up and left it the next the the original landing site for them all to make there way in

just picked it up now and because its lashed it down with rain, every single bee is inside the nuc nice and warm and dry.

They had obviously been there a week or so as they had begun building a small amount of comb on the bush. I did not see the queen but hopefully she's the one the helped all of them make there way into the nuc

only problem Ive got it that i havent any drawn foundation frames i can give them!!, do you think if i feed syrup they will get to work with building foundation??

 

[VEG]

Look at it this way they would have to make comb somewhere so feed like mad and cross your fingers.

 

[richardbees]

yes, after all, it's their only chance!

 

[keith pierce]

What is with all this late swarming. I have never had a colony swarm after the middle/late july.
They are definatly not one for keeping and i would requeen them next year as soon as possable

 

[kighill]

Do you have any drawn super foundations since harvesting your honey? If you do they could use this and when being fed they can draw out more comb on the bottoms.

Good look.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Swarms have turbo charged comb building abilities so feed away!

 

[drstitson]

the missus saw a small (tiny) cast in flight last friday - unfortunately got away but sounded like just an apidea worth.

Not from any of my hives i might add.

 

[Teemore]

I suspect some of these could be hunger swarms - particularly out of Apideas. They can exhaust their stores very quickly if the beekeeper isn't on the ball.

 

[viridens]

This seems to be a new phenomenon, especially last year and this one. The norm here used to be swarming over by mid June. My last collection was mid August...

Possible reasons: Global warming? Vigorous & prolific new strains and crosses of bee? Improved bee health and colony size due to improved husbandry?

 

[drstitson]

increased numbers of newbies being caught out due to lack of advice?

ie reading the books NOT the hives.

or being sold carnies

 

[viridens]

increased numbers of newbies being caught out due to lack of advice?

ie reading the books NOT the hives.

or being sold carnies

Good points.

It still seems strange that late swarms just didn't seem to happen despite neglected hives and feral colonies, which I suppose would have been greater in number back in pre-Varroa days.