Hive weight change after swarm?

[tjc1]

Is there a notable change in the weight of the hive after a swarm has left? I would think so as the departing workers gorge on honey for the occasion, but would the change be on the order of several/many pounds? I weigh the hives with a bathroom scale placed under the back end of the hive, which gives me roughly half the hive weight.

[Ben Framed]

Hi tjc1,
A good question! I have retrieved several swarms using different methods. Bee vac, limb shake, and simple scooping them up in hand. When doing a limb shake I use a simple cardboard printer paper box as the catch box.
Though swarming bees do (pack their bags with honey, lol, I do not notice that the paper box of bees is exceptional weight.

Phillip

[Michael Bush]

Yes, the bees gorge on honey and the hive is probably lighter by a few pounds because of that, and then you have the the few pounds of bees that leave as well, but I would guess probably not more than 10 pounds difference.