Swarm Q

[Outlander]

Region lets be clear here. Did you go back the same night, because to me it does not read like you did but some one suggested to me you did? If so apologies to you and good luck with your bees. I was not having ago at you for no good reason. I do think if you except the job of catching a swarm then it should be done properly. Yes I can see that sometime it's impossible to stay till the end of the day and also may not be safe to leave a nuc/box to collect later. I do though believe that there’s nothing to stop anyone going back later in the evening to pick the small cluster up that will be there. Again apologies if I got it wrong.

Paul

 

[Heather]

I spray the branch area whilst I am there patiently waiting for the bees to go into the box-(hopefully being offered a cuppa).
Just spraying the branch stops them returning to that area and concentrates them onto checking out the fanning bees in the box.

Think it was a different night - smack legs- next time phone me- here to help.

 

[REDWOOD]

Air freshener, quick clean and convenient

 

[Chris Luck]

Air freshener, quick clean and convenient

But it won't make the stranded bees go away so I really can't see the point.

Stating the obvious but if we are talking about having a hive nearby with the queen in it the bees will all go in by themselves by dusk.

Chris

 

[Heather]

Missing the point...- spray branch during collection-
Main swarm of bees drop into box- about 300 may linger and try to re collect on the branch- shake the branch to remove them back into the air- spray branch - bees think branch no longer nice pheromone- try the pheromone being fanned out of the swarm box...

 

[Chris Luck]

No I'm not missing the point, but the thread seems to be about two different situations as is often the case.

Either way the bees will not all be in until dusk, unless of course it's pouring with rain. I've never had any problems with this and never had to spray noxious substances, which of course I wouldn't.

Taking a part swarm away during the day inevitably leaves many hundreds, probably thousands of bees behind unless as above, it's pouring with rain.

Chris

 

[REDWOOD]

Missing the point...- spray branch during collection-
Main swarm of bees drop into box- about 300 may linger and try to re collect on the branch- shake the branch to remove them back into the air- spray branch - bees think branch no longer nice pheromone- try the pheromone being fanned out of the swarm box...

 

[Outlander]

No I'm not missing the point, but the thread seems to be about two different situations as is often the case.

Either way the bees will not all be in until dusk, unless of course it's pouring with rain. I've never had any problems with this and never had to spray noxious substances, which of course I wouldn't.

Taking a part swarm away during the day inevitably leaves many hundreds, probably thousands of bees behind unless as above, it's pouring with rain.

Chris

You need to go back at dusk to make sure you have all the bees cause if you do I bet you'll finds some.

 

[Heather]

If I leave any there are prob only about half doz- I do wait about an hour before I pack them up. I was told by an experienced bee keeper that stragglers will return to their original hive if the swarm goes on without them.

Never noxious spray- 'Bee Quick' is sold to remove bees from supers rapidly- I don't use for that but the smell of almonds is obviously not to their liking so I do use on the swarm branch to inhibit return there- works for me anyway.

 

[Chris Luck]

I was told by an experienced bee keeper that stragglers will return to their original hive if the swarm goes on without them.

Not in my experience they don't.

In the immediate period as swarming takes place it's fair to say that a lot of the swarm bees go back to the colony but once the "swarm" has formed they seem to form a rapid bond and won't return to the issuing colony.

Ahhhh, Bee Quick, smells of almonds, is that a posh form of Benzaldehyde?

Chris

 

[Heather]

Ah yes, thought I would shorten Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and one of the most industrially useful. This colorless liquid has a characteristic pleasant almond-like odor. In fact, benzaldehyde is the primary component of bitter almond oil and can be extracted from a number of other natural sources. Benzaldehyde was first extracted from bitter almonds in 1803 by the French pharmacist Martrès. In 1832 German chemists Friedrich Wöhler and Justus von Liebig first synthesized benzaldehyde to Bee Quick

 

[george]

I have not gone through each reply to this so apologies if its been covered .
If you have left bees on a swarm site , you have not done a good job in collecting them .
Too many times in the last few yrs i have been called to clear up the problem caused by someone taking the bulk of the swarm with Queen and leaving .

Result . Lots of very grumpy bees loitering on the branch , wall , fence or whatever wondering where the rest of the colony has gone .
If you collect a swarm do not grab what you can and rush home to hive it . Let the whole thing settle in to box , skep or hive , then go back when they have stopped flying . Foam it up and then go .
With the weather as it is at the moment hundreds if not thousands of bees are away from the swarm cluster looking for a permanent home or food . You can end up with a good sized ball of bees at the end of the day .
If you need to shift it because of a public access problem then spend some time squashing them as they return . Not nice but it has to be done !

Just as a point of interest , if a bee from a swarm stings someone its an act of God . If you collect it and leave stragglers and someone gets stung , guess whos fault it is ?

Apologies for the tone but this is particular pet hate!!!
G

 

[Heather]

Totally agree.
And whilst waiting for the bees to settle- may take an hour or so -- there are usually a few people watching- so whilst they offer you refreshment , what an opportunity to tell them about bees, importance, behaviour, lifestyle. I love amazing Joe Public who think I am shifting a wasp nest!!

If you cannot spare such time- GET SOMEONE ELSE TO COLLECT THEM! Don't be a gungho hero of the moment -respect your craft

 

[Outlander]

I have not gone through each reply to this so apologies if its been covered .
If you have left bees on a swarm site , you have not done a good job in collecting them .
Too many times in the last few yrs i have been called to clear up the problem caused by someone taking the bulk of the swarm with Queen and leaving .

Result . Lots of very grumpy bees loitering on the branch , wall , fence or whatever wondering where the rest of the colony has gone .
If you collect a swarm do not grab what you can and rush home to hive it . Let the whole thing settle in to box , skep or hive , then go back when they have stopped flying . Foam it up and then go .
With the weather as it is at the moment hundreds if not thousands of bees are away from the swarm cluster looking for a permanent home or food . You can end up with a good sized ball of bees at the end of the day .
If you need to shift it because of a public access problem then spend some time squashing them as they return . Not nice but it has to be done !

Just as a point of interest , if a bee from a swarm stings someone its an act of God . If you collect it and leave stragglers and someone gets stung , guess whos fault it is ?

Apologies for the tone but this is particular pet hate!!!
G

 

[Chris Luck]

I agree with GRUMPY

Thanks.

Heather - a natural organic compound does't equal harmless, but you knew that really I'm sure, otherwise I think, (hope), we are in agreement..

...and yes, I also welcome that chance to explain about bee biology and correct some of the erroneous notions that they have picked up from the media and other scaremongers.

Chris

 

[Outlander]

No Chris not you, Ollie 90. Grumpy.

 

[Chris Luck]

No Chris not you, Ollie 90. Grumpy.

Now you've spoilt my day, possibly my week.

Chris