You still sound rough, hope you get back to full health soon. I had something similar, the bees swarmed right in front of me and I knocked them down into a cluster using the pots/hammer technique. They all ended up back in original hive which has now re-queened, when hatched she killed all the other queens, the hive is back full of bees and the queen has just started to lay. From a Blue queen to a Yellow queen without losing bees, all within a month.
I only have 4 hives and despite making a split from the strongest colony, and keeping a keen eye on things, two colonies swarmed last week. By pure luck I was there to see it happen, and caught both swarms, so with a bit of luck with the virgin queens mating well I will end up with 7 hives. Would rather have the honey to be honest though, but some 2022 queens are always useful to have too.
My biggest colony this year ended up swarming. I saw swarm cells and instantly took the queen away with some brood in a nuc. Left 2 cells behind. All should have been well but both queen's hatched and they decided to swarm again. I went from probably 60k bees to maybe 15k bees in 2 swarms. I'll never leave 2 queen cells again.
Enjoy your videos. I’ve heard once they seal the Swarm cell they WILL continue to be in Swarm mode, even if you supply more room (another box). What is your experience?
It’s very much that. Once they start making queen cells it’s so hard to get them to change their mind. Almost impossible without actually doing a artificial swarm or similar technique
Epic video. Love seeing things not going to plan so much more educational than a video of a perfect colony. Thanks 🙏
Thanks Dan, it’s all about sharing the good and bad 😅👍🏻
It’s a natural instinct to swarm. Thanks for the interesting talk on swarming. I’m on it. Up there today checking them pesky bees ain’t moving out.
Thanks Paula, hopefully they stay put!! 😅
Here's how you find out! You go out to do an inspection look into next doors garden and find the little blighters on their tree !
😄😂😂
You still sound rough, hope you get back to full health soon. I had something similar, the bees swarmed right in front of me and I knocked them down into a cluster using the pots/hammer technique. They all ended up back in original hive which has now re-queened, when hatched she killed all the other queens, the hive is back full of bees and the queen has just started to lay. From a Blue queen to a Yellow queen without losing bees, all within a month.
Thanks Mick, still not 100%
That sounds like the best case scenario 😊👍🏻👍🏻
Caught a massive swarm of what I assume were my own bees today. It's bigger than a football in size, had an extra box with comb thankfully
Some huge colonies out there! Glad to caught it! 😊
I only have 4 hives and despite making a split from the strongest colony, and keeping a keen eye on things, two colonies swarmed last week. By pure luck I was there to see it happen, and caught both swarms, so with a bit of luck with the virgin queens mating well I will end up with 7 hives. Would rather have the honey to be honest though, but some 2022 queens are always useful to have too.
Bees or honey, it’s hard to do both!! 😅
My biggest colony this year ended up swarming. I saw swarm cells and instantly took the queen away with some brood in a nuc. Left 2 cells behind. All should have been well but both queen's hatched and they decided to swarm again. I went from probably 60k bees to maybe 15k bees in 2 swarms. I'll never leave 2 queen cells again.
Thanks for sharing that with us. Sorry to hear they swarmed. Sometimes the queens duke it out sometimes they swarm!!
Enjoy your videos. I’ve heard once they seal the Swarm cell they WILL continue to be in Swarm mode, even if you supply more room (another box). What is your experience?
It’s very much that. Once they start making queen cells it’s so hard to get them to change their mind. Almost impossible without actually doing a artificial swarm or similar technique
Hi mate, I like this Beesuit. Can you describe it a bit in your next Video? It does look well ventilated.
Hi,
Yes will do, this suit is the vented bbwear suit