The Honeybee Wranglers » swarm

Run, Queen, Run!

Liz Thompson — Mon, 18 May 2015 01:26:10 +0000

Yesterday evening I saw a virgin queen in the observation hive for the first time since this craziness began. She was running like a wild thing!

The reason soon became apparent. The bees balled her! Note the condensation on the hive glass. This point on the glass was considerably hotter than the surrounding surface.

This morning I found her on the bottom screen with a few workers attempting to move her carcass out.

Just a side note, After Swarm E occurred today. I looked out and saw the queen on the landing board. I attempted to catch her in a queen cage but failed. We messed with the swarm a couple times and I think we saw the queen return to the hive. The bees either dispersed or returned to the hive. It was quite small, maybe a cup and a half of bees.

Did I Already Say Swarm Again?

Liz Thompson — Sat, 16 May 2015 14:18:10 +0000

Today may I present AfterSwarm D

Here it is boxed up and ready to head to Kristien’s to live out it’s life in her top bar hive.

Swarm Again — Again — And Again

Liz Thompson — Fri, 15 May 2015 19:20:45 +0000

So on May 10th I thought the congestion had increased to the point the bees may swarm again. Well swarm they did! On May 12th the bees produced what has come to be known as AfterSwarm A.

They congregated on the window. I dutifully swept them into a bag and placed them in a box full of comb. They kindly flew right back to the window. They remained congregated on the window until the 14th.

On the May 14th, the observation hive swarmed again, producing AfterSwarm B.

I called Todd and he brought some cardboard nuc boxes. We put AfterSwarm B into a box where they stayed. After dark I corked it up and delivered it to Todd on the morning of the 15th.

We then approached AfterSwarm A on the window. They had a few scouts returning and dancing. They seemed to be behaving as a swarm. I once again swept them into a box. This time it was cardboard with two frames of foundation. They didn’t like those accommodations either. They dispersed. I have no idea whether some returned to the observation hive or if they congregated somewhere out of my detection.

This afternoon at about 1:52 once again the hive roared. It actually made some sounds that resembled a jet plane. Totally amazing the sounds these bees can produce. Much lower and rumblier than I’ve heard before. It sounded as though a couple frames where shaking. I couldn’t see that happening though. And through all of this the queens continue to pipe.

A bunch of bees flew away. I’m calling them AfterSwarm C. I think they went in the direction of the cemetery. I haven’t found them yet. I don’t think it was too many bees, probably less than a pound.

And that is the swarm report for today!