[Greenerlife]

Have a spare bee hive sitting right next to my one remaining hive from last year.  went to see my chickens and thought "that's a lot of buzzing?" then went to check my bees - old hive newly inhabited by new swarm!  didn't have to do anything!


Will do a proper check tomorrow - my only worry is that my good hive has swarmed and moved in next door!

[Olly398]

If they have - that's called swarm control isn't it, you clever thing     

[Greenerlife]

Ha ha Olly! 


Anyway - did my check this morning and all is well. No signs in my previous colony of an old queen cell, so they didn't swarm next door, but the new colony is HUGE (and very friendly which is an added bonus). I am a very happy bunny.

[Bionic]

Thats great news.    We could do with that happening to us as our last colony has just died 

[HesterF]

How lucky! I'm waiting on my first two nucs to arrive next week (or soon after) and then husband ran into a swarm while mowing at the weekend. He was keen to keep it but I don't trust my skills so called the nearest beekeeper (at least I know where to go) and asked if he'd like to pick it up. He was happy and I got to see what he did so I'll know for next time (although still have none of the right equipment). Oh, and I hope it means he'll owe me one for when I need advice which I'm sure I will very soon,.

He showed me how to get them running up a sheet into the nuc box which was amazing - and even more amazing was that he spotted the (unmarked) queen so easily. Then I went to the local beekeepers meeting on Sunday and saw another running in - two in two days!

H

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[Greenerlife]

You did the right thing HesterF.  Taking a swarm is nerve wracking first time,and it is great to see them all "walking home" in the hands of an expert isn't it?  Good luck with your nucs.