My bees swarmed and I tried to catch them…

[Helen]

If you can removed the branch or at least the twigs where they had settled in the tree and seal it in a bin liner ... it will be covered in queen pheremones which is what is attracting them back to the tree.

I always spray the area where a swarm has settled with liquid smoke, to cover any scent. Or airfreshner, or both if I have both.



Of course, this is after they are in the nuc.

 

[bobba]

I always spray the area where a swarm has settled with liquid smoke, to cover any scent. Or airfreshner, or both if I have both.

Of course, this is after they are in the nuc.

Thats an interesting idea and could defiantly be handy in certain circumstances. Although it was actually useful for me that they went back to the same spot.

I just moved the hive back to my garden. It was so quiet I began to wonder if there were any bees in there, so I had a little peep in the top and they are all in there, and no bees in the tree this time

everyone for your advice and ideas.

Particularly to pargyle for your suggestion to leave the new hive by the tree until the end of the day. This worked so much better than leaving them in a cardboard box until dusk and transferring to the hive.

So what next? When should I feed them?, should I OA vape why they have virtually no brood? When do I take the QE off the bottom?

 

[Anduril]

I always spray the area where a swarm has settled with liquid smoke, to cover any scent. Or airfreshner, or both if I have both.



Of course, this is after they are in the nuc.

I've had the same success with Fabispray. Although last week they flew around the garden a few times before going into the nuc.

 

[pargyle]

As they are your bees and you know where the came from there is no risk of disease ... this is the only reason why people don't feed swarms. The theory is that any disease they are carrying in the honey they retained for swarming gets used up in wax production ..

There is no harm in feeding them as soon as you want in your circumstances .. 1:1 syrup will give them a boost to build comb.

As for treatment .. you are asking the wrong person as I don't treat my bees but .. if you think they might have a varroa load then get on ans vape them .. it will certainly reduce if not remove any phoretic mites prior to the point when they start brooding.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Get them vaped in a couple of days
You won't get a better opportunity to get most of the mites.

 

[bobba]

They are still in the box, I just had a quick peep inside and the bees are sat up on the frames. So all is looking promising.

I think I will vape tonight or tmr.

 

[pargyle]

They are still in the box, I just had a quick peep inside and the bees are sat up on the frames. So all is looking promising.

I think I will vape tonight or tmr.

Very satisfying isn't it when you finally get it right ... sit there with a smug grin and enjoy the moment ... they are already planning what they are going to do next to frustrate your beekeeping... just when you think you've got it cracked ..
They come at you from left field. !!