Uniting swarms

[Newbeeneil]

I picked up 3 swarms yesterday. 1 was a reasonable size but the other 2 were only about 1 frames worth of bees. I think all 3 are casts. I don't want the small ones so how can I combine them?

 

[enrico]

Were they all in the same area? I only ask because swarms can split if collected too early and before they have United into one large swarm
E

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I picked up 3 swarms yesterday. 1 was a reasonable size but the other 2 were only about 1 frames worth of bees. I think all 3 are casts. I don't want the small ones so how can I combine them?

just chuck them all into one box and let them sort themselves out

 

[Newbeeneil]

Were they all in the same area? I only ask because swarms can split if collected too early and before they have United into one large swarm
E

The main one and one of the smaller ones were in the same garden but had been there for 36 hrs so they had plenty of time to "get together"

 

[Newbeeneil]

just chuck them all into one box and let them sort themselves out

That was my initial thought. They are now all on the same stand so I'll just throw them all into the same box.
Thanks

 

[Camey]

Hi Newbeeneil,
I had a similar issue/query/challenge/opportunity! two weeks ago.
Walked out in garden to find 3 "cast" swarms in bushes and on fence ( first 3 of 7 in the next 3 days!
I asked for and received advise from this forum and went with the " chuck them in and see" option. Combined them all in a new hive for increase. The hive has been doing very well all stayed and no sign of fighting/robbing etc

 

[beeno]

Hi Newbeeneil,
I had a similar issue/query/challenge/opportunity! two weeks ago.
Walked out in garden to find 3 "cast" swarms in bushes and on fence ( first 3 of 7 in the next 3 days!
I asked for and received advise from this forum and went with the " chuck them in and see" option. Combined them all in a new hive for increase. The hive has been doing very well all stayed and no sign of fighting/robbing etc

Nice one.

 

[joelsoo]

i did the same thing too, 2 swarms in my allotment days from one another. so poured them into a brood box, and let them sort themselves out. added a super with QE at the top, so they can make some honey when the flow comes.