When will my Bees swarm ?

[psafloyd]

I am a new beekeeper and received an over wintered Nuc. three weeks ago.
Is it possible that they may swarm this year ?
The books I have read do not give any indication, I was hoping the many experienced members of the forum could give me some advice.

Have you done a course, yet, JC47? If not, I recommend you get on one ASAP as you will learn a lot and be shown how to handle and manipulate the bees/frames.

There are a lot of factors to consider when bees may swarm and it isn't whether they will swarm, but when.

 

[Levitt53]

Mine swarmed two days after I got them in March last year. Not my fault obviously but I managed to kill their queen cells by not thinking through advice I'd been given, lose a cast then finally successfully requeen them. A great learning curve. Welcome to the wonderful world of beekeeping.

 

[user 6228]

Who needs a ladder when you have a cherry picker. I thought that your lecture at BBKA HQ last year was very ' interesting '.

thank you

 

[JC47]

Thanks PSAFLOYD. I have completed a course and following the hive trying to swarm, I now have 2 hives which were both flying on Tuesday. Last September I harvested 76lbs. honey from the two hives so I must be doing something right.

 

[drex]

Mine swarmed two days after I got them in March last year. Not my fault obviously but I managed to kill their queen cells by not thinking through advice I'd been given, lose a cast then finally successfully requeen them. A great learning curve. Welcome to the wonderful world of beekeeping.

The important thing when you see queen cells is to investigate ( can I see the queen or eggs, how many cells, what sort of cells are they etc) then stop and THINK. Even close up and go and have a read up on it, even make a cup of tea .Decide what you think the bees are trying to do, and what outcome you would like, such as preventing losing a swarm, or do you want to make up some nucs with spare cells etc. Then put your plan into action -that same day, make sure you have the equipment to hand that you will need for your plan. Do not delay, the bees are on their own timetable. The last thing is to PANIC , and worst of all squash every queen cell you see.
Even better is to ave a rough plan in advance. For example, I like this queen, the traits of the colony are good, so if this one makes queen cells, I shall make up some nucs and hopefully propagate those desirable qualities

 

[enrico]

This is a resurrection of an old thread.... just incase others don't realise!

 

[psafloyd]

Thanks PSAFLOYD. I have completed a course and following the hive trying to swarm, I now have 2 hives which were both flying on Tuesday. Last September I harvested 76lbs. honey from the two hives so I must be doing something right.

Glad to hear it, JC47. You may be surprised how many people get bees and only then think about what they have to do to look after them.

Have to go and see mine ASAP as I've had three weeks in the house with flu...