Recent Posts

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by The15thMember on Today at 01:42:11 pm »

The bees are not investigating the trap, they are drifting to it.  I dont know if it would deter a swarm, maybe?  But in its current location its confusing a new beekeeper and a new hive.  I know it's an unpopular observation on this thread but by the video and Terris posts Im fairly certain it's just his bees drifting.

I don?t feel like your thoughts are unpopular just unique among us and I do consider the possibility.

Agreed.  I think your opinion is raising some interesting questions, beesnweeds.  We are all just trying to figure out what's going on here, and everyone's expertise is valuable.  I don't have any experience with swarm traps really, so I'm learning a lot through the whole conversation. 

80 ft. just seems far to drift to me, and I think Terri's comment about how most of his bees are bringing in pollen but these bees aren't is a interesting observation.  I also feel like the amount of bees exhibiting this odd behavior is very small.  How many scout bees do those of you
who put of swarm traps regularly typically see before a swarm moves in? 

Im not sure what's going on in your hive but that would be a separate issue from workers drifting to the trap.  Honestly, bees dont practice anything.  They dont live long enough.

This is contrary to what I've heard more than once but I am open to learning just what is going on.

I think it depends on your definition of "practice".  I think of queens cups more as preparation.  The bees sometimes build them in case they needed them, and sometimes they end up using them and sometimes they don't.  Orientation fights could also be considered "flying practice", but the purpose is really so the bees can memorize the area around the hive, not to practice flying in the sense that a baby bird does.   

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HUMOR IS A FUNNY THING / Re: Run o' the Mill Jokes

« Last post by Salvo on Today at 11:16:58 am »

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift...
The next year, I didn't buy her a gift.

When she asked me why, I replied, "Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"

And that's when the fight started...

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by beesnweeds on Today at 11:11:56 am »

Whatever is going on there is mysterious and interesting.

Certainly is, maybe it's a slow swarm and they will add bees little by little and then bring a queen over.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by Ben Framed on Today at 11:06:04 am »

Scout Bees don?t just drift in an empty resource-less hive without reason. Nor do scout bees bring in resources to a colony-less  dwelling .  They can be baited to the hive as you have done in hopes of swarm catching.

Scout bees from our own hives will check out abandoned hives. They are looking to take not give: or looking for a potential new home.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by Terri Yaki on Today at 10:38:03 am »

The bees in the swarm trap?  A few bees can't draw comb and raise drone brood.

OK, that does make sense.

Im not sure what's going on in your hive but that would be a separate issue from workers drifting to the trap.  Honestly, bees dont practice anything.  They dont live long enough.

This is contrary to what I've heard more than once but I am open to learning just what is going on.

They're not strays, they're bees from your hive drifting to the trap.  Turn the entrance of the trap 180. They may be bringing in something you just can't see it like pollen.  Bees aren't perfect, every foraging trip isn't successful.

My hive is all bringing in orange pollen, which I believe is tulip poplar, hot and heavy but the swarm trap bees have nothing. There is a huge tulip poplar about 200' from my apiary and the state forest behind me is full of them as well. Even if only 1% had a successful trip, I would be able to see it.

Whatever is going on there is mysterious and interesting.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by beesnweeds on Today at 10:11:56 am »

I?m wondering if they will develop a laying worker if that is the case.

The bees in the swarm trap?  A few bees can't draw comb and raise drone brood.

All I saw during Thursday?s inspection were practice queen cells but I will stay on top of the hive and be on the lookout for the real McCoys.

Im not sure what's going on in your hive but that would be a separate issue from workers drifting to the trap.  Honestly, bees dont practice anything.  They dont live long enough.

If they are just my strays, why aren?t they bringing anything in? Are they just lazy workers hiding out? If nothing else, I think it?s interesting.

They're not strays, they're bees from your hive drifting to the trap.  Turn the entrance of the trap 180. They may be bringing in something you just can't see it like pollen.  Bees aren't perfect, every foraging trip isn't successful.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by Terri Yaki on Today at 08:36:29 am »

The bees are not investigating the trap, they are drifting to it.  I dont know if it would deter a swarm, maybe?  But in its current location its confusing a new beekeeper and a new hive.  I know it's an unpopular observation on this thread but by the video and Terris posts Im fairly certain it's just his bees drifting.

I don?t feel like your thoughts are unpopular just unique among us and I do consider the possibility. I?d also like to see what happens if you are right but not at the expense of a swarm. I?m wondering if they will develop a laying worker if that is the case. All I saw during Thursday?s inspection were practice queen cells but I will stay on top of the hive and be on the lookout for the real McCoys.

If they are just my strays, why aren?t they bringing anything in? Are they just lazy workers hiding out? If nothing else, I think it?s interesting.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: What did you do in your Apiary/Bee yard today?

« Last post by max2 on Today at 04:51:29 am »

We had a very good market on Saturday - lots of honey was sold and we sold all of the Pecan Nuts we had with us.We also sold a few Strawberry Plants  in pots.Today I went to one of my yards to do my Autumn's check.Less honey here, fewer SHB, No varroa.. Most hives are powering  on with lots of brood.Sadly i had a dead out. More to clean up.
I also washed and sterilized the jars we had returned.  We took back about 50 of them and it takes some time as the labels need to be soaked to come off.
I had enough time to take a walk in the bush to look for buds on trees.
Also, a quick check on the cattle - perfect Autumn day.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by gww on Today at 02:25:32 am »

Any advice I give is not a counter to any other given but more my perspective on trapping.  I have no doubt that it can be done much better then I do it.  From my perspective and value system.  I am not putting traps higher then I can easily reach from the ground though studies seem to suggest 15 feet might be best. 

I am not putting traps in places I will not naturally go cause it cost too much to travel to keep them baited and checked.  I view substandard traps out better then no trap at all.  I like deeps but will put a medium out if it is what I have with out building more.  I like my traps where I go often or somebody else can see them daily and call me if there is activity. 

In my area, swarms are not a sure thing and you could waste lots of recourses if you don't use what help you can get.  I have 15 out and catch between 1 and 3 swarms a year and have never caught two in the same place in one year.  I don't gather them up and store them but leave then out till a bottom or top rots off and then just replace that when needed.

No doubt people can trap better then me but my bees come as cheap as I have found a way to to do it and I like it better then making splits when you just want to get by but not expand. 

I have read the best ways published by others that had study money to do it like they did it but like all things it depends on your goals.  I do have a couple of traps on my own place that I have not baited or looked at in a few years cause I would have to get on a four wheeler to look at them and it is just easier to keep up with the one in my real back yard then in my woods and places I get to by car naturally.  My advice is always based on what I like to do and not saying some point is wrong but more some points would not change my way cause it is good enough for me.  Every one has to be the judge of what is best for them.  I am just down right cheap and have found good enough for my need.  My advice is given with good will but in no way some mandate as many are smarter then me and have excellent points being made by them.

Some of my bias might be that my very first bees came from my back yard before I even had bees.  I live in the boonies but you just never know what might be around you.

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GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Swarm Catching

« Last post by beesnweeds on Today at 01:02:15 am »

I for one, fully understand what you are saying beesnweeds to your point and credit.

Thank you.

You are probably right about the drifting part. Naturally his own bees will check out the bait he has planted

After the posts and video, you can see the bees hit the landing board and walk right in thinking it's the correct hive.  Terri should at least give the trap a 180.  I guess Im a bit surprised that no other experienced beekeepers on here see it.

While Remembering the ongoing discussion, anticipation, and excitement of Father Michael a few years back when he was in almost the same spot as Terri. More than one of us tried to give him a heads up, in case they left, (which they did). I also remember the disappointment that he faced when they left the area, and the disappointment we felt for him.

I also understand Father Michaels disappointment, but it's a learning experience and we both know beekeeping has a steep curve.  I try and offer a different solution hoping he can increase his chances with a scion in his yard.