The Bee Thread

[violet]

agreed Wayne.

Unfortunately, I don't seem to know anyone who has kept their bees alive....which is the pickle that I currently am in.

[Wayne in Maine]

I no longer keep bees, I have not for a few years. But I still have a lot of bee keeping gear including hives. This spring I put out two hives to capture any swarms (common in the area) which I can sell, hives and all, later this summer. I wish I had thought of that before, it's a good way to sell off old hives and comb.

[Ken]

Former beekeeper here too.

Agree with Wayne. If you don't have any local supplier of nucs or any local beekeepers willing to sell an existing hive you are in a tough spot.

There are lots of instructions on the internet and YouTube about how to set up hives to trap wild swarms as Wayne suggests. For example: https://www.horizontalhive.com/honeybee ... atch.shtml That is probably your best bet. In a former life I worked in a Peace Corps beekeeping project in Guatemala and we set out hundreds and hundreds of swarm traps to try to monitor and control the northward spread of the Africanized (killer) bees in the 1980s. It was a completely futile effort and waste of money but I did learn how to trap swarms. We just set out baited cardboard boxes covered by plastic and hung them in the trees alongside the roadways. What made it pointless is that bees don't follow roads, they spread everywhere.

[violet]

Thank you for the replies!

It had turned out that a local man was going to part with some and then they swarmed.

so, I was up a creek, no paddle.

I threw out a "please help me email" to anyone I could think of and another man gave me a call. So, my husband and I went over. Turns out he is an old salt beekeeper from long ago and now only keeps a couple of hives, but he wanted to be helpful. He gave me two slats of brood and shook a bunch of nurse bees into my hive.

I am feeding them sugar water now and they are boxed in with her. I am supposed to check on her tomorrow afternoon and see if she is ready to be released. If they are feeding her, I am told, I can release her. If they are "biting" at her, I am to wait another day.

[violet]

and, Ken, I will check out your link.

It seems the knowledge on how to catch a swarm would be wise for me to learn.

[Wayne in Maine]

and, Ken, I will check out your link.

It seems the knowledge on how to catch a swarm would be wise for me to learn.

I had 11 swarms my first year of beekeeping! I captured 9 with the help of my son.

[violet]

impressive.

I had a swarm from my hive. It was beautiful.

but, then so sad that they left.

I am hoping not to repeat that this year.

tell me your story about catching them. I am quite interested.

[Szdfan]

We had a rough spring — two intense, unexpected cold snaps and we lost a bunch. My wife is rebuilding the population.

[violet]

good luck.

please post tips.

I most surely could use them

[Wayne in Maine]

impressive.

I had a swarm from my hive. It was beautiful.

but, then so sad that they left.

I am hoping not to repeat that this year.

tell me your story about catching them. I am quite interested.

Well for starters...