Swarm question

[sandysman]

I was asked by a beekeeping friend of mine if I had ever heard of throwing two swarms together. I haven't but I am sure some of you guys will.
Answers on a postcard please.
Thanks
Andy

 

[VEG]

If done its "usually" done with small caste swarms as sometimes they can be quite small.

 

[itma]

Any time you try anything like that, add in lots of icing sugar, and optionally a spray from the water mister. By the time they have cleaned each other up, they should all be on the same team. And any queens/princesses can sort themselves out.

 

[beeno]

Hi sandysman,
I have been told by someone who used to be a bee inspector that two casts without finding the queens is a no no - they will fight. However, three won't apparently! According to the German beekeepers video they throw all the casts together and portion the bees out at the right amount - one virgin each and shut them up for three days. I hasten to add that I have never tried either myself!

 

[sandysman]

Yes, I too thought it might cause a bit of a scrap and be a waste of a good queen.

 

[buzz lightyear]

3 swarms caught the same day can be thrown in together. No problems. So I've been told. Not that I've tried it.

 

[psafloyd]

I was asked by a beekeeping friend of mine if I had ever heard of throwing two swarms together. I haven't but I am sure some of you guys will.
Answers on a postcard please.
Thanks
Andy

Done it with a couple of casts collected a week apart. Both virgins, so smoked heavily and chucked together. No untoward signs an queen mated in a couple of weeks. Or so it seems.