Scout Bees??

[Tom Bick]

I have two set both old used standard BB two old frames with the brood area cut out and the rest wired frames with starter strips, both set 8’ off the ground not yet but will add a couple of drops of lemon grass oil.

But it is down to the bees providing we have a swarming hive in the area and even then they may choose the chimney over what we consider the palace we have provided.

If you like fishing then bait hives are good fun I was very happy with my tiny cast swarm and scout bees that came to nothing last year and will be happy with similar this year.

 

[drstitson]

"The only problem is its on your shed roof good height as far as catching a swarm is concerned but not so good when they need moving but not impossible.

And they will be established in a week so the three feet move may be interesting when you have to move them, but if you can move it 3 miles and then back to its final position then its all good.
"

AFAIK the 3/3 rule does not apply to swarms as you don't have lots of OLD foragers.

as soon as you get a hit i'd just move it to final position. that's what we did last year - swarm captured twice then moved 1km after a few days of "stabilisation".

 

[psafloyd]

I have a second hand hive in my garden. I have been meaning to tidy it up and sterilise it for use as a bait hive.

Anyway, last week, I made a start, scorching the inside of the roof, the crown board, a miller feeder on the top, and clearing and scorching the wire QE.

Didn't have time to remove the old frame and comb, which I will burn, but I also knocked an OMF for it this morning. Then, at about 1300, I went into the garden and discovered it was getting a lot of interest from a couple of dozen scouts. Whether I am ready for it or not, I may get a swarm this week. I only hope they're not my own bees from about a mile away as I don't want them to be going on that old comb. There were a number of bees dancing In my hive today, but I hope that was about forage, not a swarm.

 

[drstitson]

psa -

"There were a number of bees dancing In my hive today, but I hope that was about forage, not a swarm."

sign up for the upcoming course at sussex uni and you'll be able to decode the dances yourself -

i wonder what the dance is for "Nice mr boss man has set up a nice new house full of dirty old comb about a mile away in XX direction, check it out"!!!!

 

[aberreef]

i wonder what the dance is for "Nice mr boss man has set up a nice new house full of dirty old comb about a mile away in XX direction, check it out"!!!!

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again

Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[rae]

I really don't believe the whole "scout" bee thing. I saw one of ours swarm yesterday and they got as far as the hedge (all of 30 yards) before one of them said "OK, did anyone remember to pick the map up when we left?".....and they stopped. No preparation had been done, there was no purpose.

We got them back in a box, but it took quite some time!

 

[Skyhook]

I really don't believe the whole "scout" bee thing. I saw one of ours swarm yesterday and they got as far as the hedge (all of 30 yards) before one of them said "OK, did anyone remember to pick the map up when we left?".....and they stopped. No preparation had been done, there was no purpose.

We got them back in a box, but it took quite some time!

I believe the swarm leaves the hive with fairly mnimal plans, then when they haev hung op on the nearest fencepost the scouts look for a proper site.

Seems a funny way to carry on, but it seems to have worked for the last few million years.

 

[drstitson]

i suppose it is fairly sensible beahviour - imagine thousands of bees leaving hive - there will be a finite rate of leaving. by congregating nearby the mass of bees that will be leaving can amass and then once the scouts have decided everyone is ready and that they are sure where to go they head off as one.

 

[psafloyd]

psa -

"There were a number of bees dancing In my hive today, but I hope that was about forage, not a swarm."

sign up for the upcoming course at sussex uni and you'll be able to decode the dances yourself -

i wonder what the dance is for "Nice mr boss man has set up a nice new house full of dirty old comb about a mile away in XX direction, check it out"!!!!

Hmmm. As for the course, I hope it is distance, as I'm not going to Brighton to do a course.

 

[alynewbee]

Dear Jimmybee,
I too have a bait hive out, borrowed hive, frames & new foundation, two phials of lure, in final position (only two feet off floor) but a nice spot. I've definitely had some bees flying in and out - no more than a dozen a day though. Do you think these could be scout bees? The hive has been out for about two weeks now.
Best
Alynewbee

 

[victor meldrew]

Dear Jimmybee,
I too have a bait hive out, borrowed hive, frames & new foundation, two phials of lure, in final position (only two feet off floor) but a nice spot. I've definitely had some bees flying in and out - no more than a dozen a day though. Do you think these could be scout bees? The hive has been out for about two weeks now.
Best
Alynewbee

This business of placing a bait hive at 6/10 foot doesn't tally with swarms having a predilection for occupying drainage manholes even though they are at ground level and have never housed bees before .
Also does a swarms view a chimney as altitude or the roof line as merely part of the topography ?

JW

 

[alynewbee]

JW - good point, so I'm ever hopeful. I've turned the hive round now though as the entrance was north facing, now I've got it south facing. Thanks Aly

 

[jimmybee]

alynewbee, I had the hive out for over 4 weeks so its a waiting game. every few days ive put a few drops off lemon grass oil in there just to top it up, on warm days i had around 30 vister then about 3 days before the swarm around 100, also i have 4 hives out in different places which helps.

 

[alynewbee]

Thanks Jimmybee, I'll top up on the lemon grass oil and be patient. Might scrub down my spare hive and use that too.

 

[Tom Bick]

This business of placing a bait hive at 6/10 foot doesn't tally with swarms having a predilection for occupying drainage manholes even though they are at ground level and have never housed bees before .
Also does a swarms view a chimney as altitude or the roof line as merely part of the topography ?

JW

They certainly chose many varied and unusual locations at times John and this process of selecting a new nest site will be heavily influenced on what they have found and what is available at the time one is required.
It will be interesting to see if the bait hives off the ground up to 8’ have a greater success rate than others on the ground.

 

[jimmybee]

A good tip is keep an eye out on warm days because if the swarm comes and does not like what you have to offer then you can follow it until it hangs up.

 

[jimmybee]

Also where i live there is alot of oil seed rape in flower so i dont know if thats got any thing to do with it?

 

[Headnavigator]

I've also got bait hives out but logistically need to eventually site them NE facing a sheltered high hedge as S is more exposed, and there is a public footpath S I'd sooner avoid aggro from. Seeing #32 above, should I take the risk and face the hives S while using as bait hives, and can I safely turn them afterwards?

 

[jimmybee]

ill just go check my bait hive, ill go find my compass

 

[jimmybee]

well I have never checked until now, it faces south