So now the $64,000 question or at least the $85 (cost of a package) question is how do I know if these are scouts or if a swarm has moved in?
I stood there for 15 minutes and bees continually flew in and out. I know from reading Thomas Seeley's Honeybee Democracy that they send more and more scouts to determine if a place is the place of choice for the swarm….but with only this one entry way, how will I know?
If they start to build comb, it will be like tearing apart a skep to get the bees!
I tried slightly lifting the hive but it was light as a feather - which makes me think these are scouts, but then a pound of bees might not feel like much up in the air like this.
Here you can see the whole trap.
Anyone have any ideas about how to determine if it's a success and has trapped a swarm?
I would say wait till evening and then listen to see if you hear buzzing? Also, if you have a red flashlight, you could peek in the hole at night to see if they are still in there or went home.
ReplyDeleteHow exiting! I have put out an 8-frame box on top of the garage, with some lemongrass in, but nothing so far.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassandra - I went out and don't hear after-dark buzzing but at least I know the swarm trap was in the running as per the democratic process all the way up until dark. Maybe it will be elected tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI too made some 8 frame deeps into swarm boxes with lures. A few days later 6-8 bees were checking them out all afternoon on a sunny day. You'll see in a few days the were perhaps scouts.
I counted 30 bees at a time at the end of the day today 7:45 PM. We'll see what happens tomorrow - maybe nothing but it's nice my swarm trap has at least been in the running!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteMight have bees in there. When the sun left the scene so did the bees at our traps. Good luck! I have a barn cut out to do, my first by myself.