Swarm Collecting

[SixFooter]

Just been listening to Woman's Hour where a Manchester Beekeeper was describing collecting a swarm with a cardboard box and a sheet. As per the books. I have collected lots of swarms, but never had success with the sheet and carboard box. These days, I usually just put the bees straight into a purpose built (Dave Cushman) swarm box that has a closer on the entrance and a carrying handle.
Do other people still use the cardboard box method?

 

[johnandyrob]

I normally just use a nuc box. I find them easier to handle and transport than a cardboard box.

 

[Poly Hive]

Skep and sheet.

PH

 

[John_W]

Anything..

I have used all sorts of things.. Nuc boxes are best, if you can, as they are pre-homed as it were.. but yes I have used carboard boxes. I have used plastic boxes, what ever was to hand at the time. As usually its not when you are prepared or have a spare box.

One tip I was told, was the queen is usually in the bottom 2-3" of a cluster, as the bees near the top have too support the entire cluster. So if you cannot get the entire cluster in one go. Get the lower part as it should contain the queen.

Once you have her, move the box entrance so it is (if possible) above the cluster, as I was told they prefer to move upward.

I have used a white sheet once. It did work, but also, just placing the nuc used to capture the bees initially, at the entrance of their intended new home, a hive in this case, and removing the lid and crownboard. Took a little while but they soon realise up hill was a nice new home, with dark interior and marched up and in.

 

[drstitson]

suppose cardboard box (and hastily bought sheet) is appropriate if faced with a swarm whilst out shopping and otherwise unequipped.

 

[Poly Hive]

Most frustrating situation I was ever in was in a garden in Stanley Perthshire, with some 15 swarms on various walls bushes and trees. And not one container on the premises or in my vehicle for that matter that would hold a swarm and all were there for me to take.

I still curse that day.

PH

 

[drstitson]

all casts from same hive?

realistically probably best you didn't get them. Unless it was a very careless hands off beekeeper sounds like they were carnie stock.

 

[drstitson]

a small stack of flattened suitably sized boxes don't take up too much room in the car (even a smart!). just need a roll of tape and they're ready for action in seconds.

 

[Chris B]

Last season I had a call from a white van man in a village 8 miles away. Swarm on the van. He said don't worry I'll bring it over. Not thinking I agreed. He turned up with swarm still on the back of his van. It had shrunk during the journey apparently but still half decent size. I put it straight into a hive in the garden.

 

[Pete D]

My first year last year and collected 3 swarms all in a polysterene fish box the size and shape of a NUC with a hole in the end.
Lid off , swarm in, lid on and invert onto a sheet, let them go in and gathered up the sheet. Got them to a hive and unravelled the sheet and they marched up it into the hive.
I wedged a stick in the box to help them cling to something.
Sheet is in the box ready to go for this year.

 

[Poly Hive]

LOL never assume..

There were over forty derelict hives on the location most with stocks in and AMM bees. "owner" was a nightmare neighbour who was quite happy to spray the locality with swarms and then deny all knowledge.

I cannot begin to describe the garden... pallets of dog food rotting away, dogs fouling every where, some 20 odd Alsatians he had, oh the list goes on and on.

PH

 

[drstitson]

"I cannot begin to describe the garden... pallets of dog food rotting away, dogs fouling every where, some 20 odd Alsatians he had, oh the list goes on and on. "

if paraphrased sounds like us (not the bee stuff):

"I cannot begin to describe the garden... pallets of cat food & piles of butcher's offcuts rotting away, cats fouling everywhere, some 20 odd (read 30) semi-feral cats they had, oh the list goes on and on. "

 

[george]

If its possible I put a made up hive under and knock it in .

Cover and roof on , leave it till dark and foam the entrance and away .

Skep if I cant use the hive method .

Amazing how quickly they draw wax if you pop them straight into a hive with foundation . Reduces the chance of it absconding the next day if they have some comb drawn .


G

 

[Teebeeaitch]

Cardboard box is fine. I also carry two metal tent pegs and a bungee to hold it down if a stiff breeze is blowing. Same cardbord box (wine case) used for past 3 years. I get away with it in the dry south east but one day its going to rain and I'm not sure how well a soggy box will perform.

 

[Moggs]

Last season I had a call from a white van man in a village 8 miles away. Swarm on the van. He said don't worry I'll bring it over. Not thinking I agreed. He turned up with swarm still on the back of his van. It had shrunk during the journey apparently but still half decent size. I put it straight into a hive in the garden.

Hi Chris - will he be doing deliveries again this year? Put me down for three...

 

[tkwinston4]

Skep and sheet.

PH

 

[drstitson]

"Skep and sheet."

for swarm collecting or some bizarre "tribal ghost" fancy dress/halloween costume?

 

[tkwinston4]

"Skep and sheet."

for swarm collecting or some bizarre "tribal ghost" fancy dress/halloween costume?

 

[BBG]

Just been listening to Woman's Hour where a Manchester Beekeeper was describing collecting a swarm with a cardboard box and a sheet. As per the books. I have collected lots of swarms, but never had success with the sheet and carboard box. These days, I usually just put the bees straight into a purpose built (Dave Cushman) swarm box that has a closer on the entrance and a carrying handle.
Do other people still use the cardboard box method?

Always carry cardboard box and two sheets.

Get them in the box - make sure the Queen is in there, box upside down - away to go.

Come back asap with hive to run them in - unless you have a hive on board already.

 

[Into the lions den]

Cardboard box man here, and cheapest sheets we can get, usually the less than perfect ones from the local charity shop.
Usually a one trip life they have, as we generally burn them now after one use. Bit expensive using a skep.........