Swarm arriving at bait hive

[Eyeman]

3rd swarm in bait hive.
This time a bait hive in Anglesey. Neighbours said the 'sky went dark' when they arrived.
Not checked them yet.

 

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I had a swarm arrive in a bait hive a couple of weeks ago. I'd never seen it happen before, it was quite spectacular . The sky over the hives went black and the noise was quite something. They all trouped into the hive then later they went under the hive..... Took two of us to get them into a hive.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I had a swarm arrive in a bait hive a couple of weeks ago. I'd never seen it happen before, it was quite spectacular . The sky over the hives went black and the noise was quite something. They all trouped into the hive then later they went under the hive..... Took two of us to get them into a hive.

Are you still keeping your bees in an Omlet?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

This time a bait hive in Anglesey. Neighbours said the 'sky went dark' when they arrived.
Not checked them yet.
View attachment 13212

Hmmm - Anglesey eh, they must have thought the sun had died - hope you get there before they finish sacrificing the goats and move on to the children

 

[Olivia9801]

Swarm arrival or not?

I have put several traps out mainly on my property, but after very little success over the last 3 weeks, I tried one at my mothers address on Tuesday. Within a few hours bees started to arrive. Unfortunately, I have been a little short on frames , so was only able to place 3x super frames (with foundation) in this swarm trap.

The trap has been very busy since then and tonight at 21:00hrs I tried opening it to fit some deep frames inside only to see a swarm in there!

I don't think its a massive number in there at the moment, but as I couldn't see all the way in, I maybe incorrect?

I have two questions from this...

Do swarms arrive mainly all together, or do they come in dribs and drabs sometimes over a few days?

Secondly, should I place the deep frames with foundation in the swarm trap tomorrow/asap?

Regards

Olivia9801

 

[Roola]

I have a webcam watching one of my bait hives and have been watching their behaviur over the last few days. Has anyone experienced the situation where the bees just hang around the entrance... not doing much... just sitting there?

 

[Millet]

I have a webcam watching one of my bait hives and have been watching their behaviur over the last few days. Has anyone experienced the situation where the bees just hang around the entrance... not doing much... just sitting there?

I caught my first swarm this year which where my bees, i did not see them go in and they was very little activity around the entrance maybe 6 bees coming and going, the thing that made me open up to have a look inside was the guard bees walking in and out of the entrance with some just sitting there doing nothing.

 

[Eyeman]

2nd swarm in Anglesey bait hive.
Been in over 2 weeks from what neighbours saw. It's been 3 weeks since our last visit.
Sealed brood.
I left some old frames with 1-2" of old foundation at the top and they have extended beautifully, keeping to the frames dimentions despite the bait hive not respecting bee space. It's also 46cm deep so no extra comb below the bars yet and no brace comb elsewhere.

 

[Cussword]

I went to do a split. When I arrived they had swarmed, 10 feet away, 4 feet up a pine tree.

Simples.

 

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Had a second swarm arrive yesterday, I didn't see them arrive -I was out assisting my mentor with his hives. It was a nice surprise before I had to go to work this morning.

Erica - My chickens live in Omlet accommodation , my bees are in National hives, an assortment of new hives, ply hives and some vintage hives ! So far this year the score has been vintage hive 1, ply hive 1 !

 

[Mr C]

I've had 4 this year