swarm warning buzz

[dan3008]

Hi guys,
I've been told that shortly before swarming, the bees give a distinctive buzzing sound, so reliably that there are even apps that can listen to it and provide warning.

Is this true? And what is this buzz like?

I'm building a hive monitoring system into my hive, and if this I true, id love to include a microphone into it, to give an extra warning. I know proper hive management is better than technology, this project is purely for interest.
Thanks
Dan

 

[JWF]

If they're buzzing because they're about to leave, you're too late!

 

[alldigging]

http://www.dave-cushman.net/elect/apidictor.html



Also Wally Shaw's talk about swarming talks about the bees buzzing the queen to make her get ready for swarming. About two weeks before they swarm there are things afoot .. or abuzz.

 

[JWF]

Ah 2 weeks is a bit more useful

 

[dan3008]

Jwf - yeh, its the 2 week(ish) warning I was on about

Thanks for that alldigging looks like exactly what I was looking for
Google just couldn't seem to find anything

 

[Millet]

Bees Buzz for a lot of reasons, air conditioning the hive any drying nectar out to name two, why would a buzz let you think they are going to swarm .

 

[Erichalfbee]

Lecture at the National Honey Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgRXu-N2VLA

 

[dan3008]

Bees Buzz for a lot of reasons, air conditioning the hive any drying nectar out to name two, why would a buzz let you think they are going to swarm .

Having done some more reading, knowing what I'm looking for is called an apidictor, its apparently a warble (alternating tones) rather than a buzz, and a hiss when the hive is tapped. With this knowledge and a little bit of work, I reckon I can make a device to listen for this and let me know Of course, as previously stated, nothing beets good hive management

Lecture at the National Honey Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgRXu-N2VLA

Looks intresting thanks