New swarm at my bait hive

[Milt Ezzard]

Hi all-
I feel lucky I was able to attract the attention of a swarm yesterday to the hive box I have set up on my garage roof. The behavior seems weird to me, however, and was hoping someone with more experience would advise. The swarm arrived yesterday, and bees are entering and exiting the hive (which is one box with old frames and wax-glued in starter sticks) but a small cluster is hanging at the base of the hive for the second day. I’m guessing the queen is in the middle of it and hasn’t made up her mind about moving in? I attempted to post a link to the image below and hoping someone chimes in on what I might expect to happen next. Thanks

Milt

• This topic was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by Milt Ezzard.
• This topic was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by Milt Ezzard.
• This topic was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by Milt Ezzard.

[susan rudnicki]

Well, if it were me, I would just leave them alone and see what happens. Do you have any drawn combs in frames that can be placed in with them?
Susan

[Milt Ezzard]

Hi Susan- thanks for the reply. Unfortunately since this is my first hive,
I don’t have any drawn comb so they are really starting from scratch!
Milt

[susan rudnicki]

OH! the box looked old, so I was thinking you might have had bees in it previously. Are you getting active mentoring in beekeeping? Do you have your protective wear and some basic tools? Also, have you read the “Idiot’s Guide” our basic recommendation for getting started with understanding the workings of a beehive? Do you come to the HL meetings?
We are set up to help with newbees getting started, so let me know the answers to the above! Susan

[Milt Ezzard]

Yes! I have a mentor (Annie Z), suit, all supplies and tools. Annie was kind enough to donate the hive body, some frames and wax to glue in my starter strips. I’ve been to Moorpark and also attend meetings at the nursery at the VA. Now I just need those bees to scoot in the entrance and build some comb.

[susan rudnicki]

Excellent! Now, have you read the “Idiot’s Guide” (sorry about the name—you are not a idiot— but the need to understand the castes of characters and the yearly waxing and waning of the hive population is VERY important to get clear in your mind) For instance, the hatching and development times required by workers, drones and queens should be a first memorization step. Michael Bush, in his book on-line —the Practical Beekeeper, Beekeeping Naturally—calls it “Bee Math” When you know these parameters you are able to predict situations about the bees and know if you have problems before a BIG problem develops. Susan

[Milt Ezzard]

I’ve not read the Idiot’s Guide, but I’ve pored through Bush’s book a couple of times- the cycles are fascinating.

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