Swarm arrived at bait box

Sussex Bees · May 16, 2012

I've just had my first swarm arrive at a bait box on top of my garage.

It is a box I knocked up to national brood box dimensions with three frames of old comb in it.

I plan to move them to my apiary site a few miles away and have a spare hive ready, but I'm in no rush, they could stay there for a week or so if beneficial.

Should I lift the lid and fill with frames of foundation, or move them into their new hive with frames of foundation, or does it not make much difference.

protheroe · May 16, 2012

i would let them draw out the brood box,then remove the old frames

oliver90owner · May 16, 2012

Err, just 3 frames in there? They will be building from the crownboard or roof at any moment!

Whether you move them from the roof now or in a week's time is immaterial, but your bait hive is now in use. Done immediately would avoid them having to stay there until moved away (3 foot rule).

Lighter to move them now, from the roof, than in a week's time?

Just a few things for you to consider. Your call is the bottom line.

Rich0909 · May 16, 2012

Did you see them arrive? You can have a couple of hundred scouts coming and going for a few days which makes the bait box look occupied - speaking from experience! - then the beek AS's them or they choose elsewhere.....

Rich.

tonybloke · May 16, 2012

Rich0909 said:
Did you see them arrive? You can have a couple of hundred scouts coming and going for a few days which makes the bait box look occupied - speaking from experience! - then the beek AS's them or they choose elsewhere.....

Rich.

VEG · May 16, 2012

Yep I thought I had a swarm in my bait hive last year there was a lot of activity but they were just looking and must have found some where better lol