Boxed a medium size swarm 2 days ago. They left on the same day.
Today had another medium sized swarm, and because bees were flying around it excitedly, I thought they are communicating something and I was waiting to see what they?ll do.
Mind you, it was 6.30am and 10C in a cold snap.
However, during the morning, they settled themselves in the box the other swarm had left, just 2m away from the mother hive. Lucky I didn?t have time to clear the box away.
I suspect one of my hives in that vicinity is throwing multiple swarms with virgin queens.
Reluctant to open it up, so not to disturb things.
In a primary big swarm, I always find the queen. Plus often a couple of virgins.
In subsequent virgin swarms, I hardly ever find the queen.
I once had a big swarm that divided to settle on separate branches on the same tree.
Isn?t swarm season exciting?
I was away up North Queensland a little longer than planned due to NSW lockdown. So my swarm control measures are a little behind for my 5 apiaries. Seeing the consequences now.
