Honey Bees swarm in TN

[raystractors]

Here in middle TN the bees think that it has turned to summer. Last week I was out back of the shop at my work and found that bees were comeing and going from a swarm trap that I had put up a few years ago. I have caught bees there before, but not in March. Have any of you seen any swarms this year?

[raystractors]

Here is another pic of the trap with bees

[Don McCombs]

Interesting swarm trap. How about an explanation of how it's constructed and how you get the swarm out? Thanks.

[Bill Hudson]

... how you get the swarm out? Thanks.

Very carefully. Couldn't resist.

Bill

[raystractors]

Interesting swarm trap. How about an explanation of how it's constructed and how you get the swarm out? Thanks.

I bought this one through one of the bee supply companies, but over time the weather has taken a toll on it so I had to replace the front of the trap with plywood. These traps are made of a cardboard type of material, and they do break down over time. There is a way to remove the back of the trap to remove the bees and put them in a hive. The secret to atracting bees to the trap is to put a piece of brood comb in the trap. The smell of this piece of comb is like a call of home to the bees, and they will come from far or near to make this there home. I have been told that they prefer to be higher in a tree or building, but it does make it a little harder to remove the trap. As you could see this one is only about eye level. When I remove them I will take some pictures to post if you are interested.

[Super A]

We had a swarm yesterday at school, about the size of a football. Fortunately they were discovered right at the end of the day. Swarm wasn't more than a foot off the ground.

This makes the third swarm I have ever seen. Saw one last year at the edge of one of our fields while I was chisel plowing---I didn't disturb it but I was glad I had a cab!

The first one I ever saw wasn't more than 50 feet from the one I saw yesterday at school---this would have been 5-6 years ago. Rather odd they would be so close together.


Al

[Don McCombs]

When I remove them I will take some pictures to post if you are interested.

I would love to see them!

[Mr E]

When I remove them I will take some pictures to post if you are interested.

I would love to see them!

I would also love to see them.

[raystractors]

I put the bees in the hive today, they have not settled down yet but I think they like their new home. Here are a few pictures of the process.

[raystractors]

This is a picture of the swarm trap before I opened it. Notice the bee in the center of the picture flying.

[raystractors]

Another

[raystractors]

another. I will take some more when they settle down.

[Don McCombs]

How long did you leave them in the swarm trap?

[raystractors]

They were in the swarm trap less than a week. They really get busy when it comes to a new home

[daddydip]

I like That very much, friend called the other day down outside of Oxford Pa. Lincoln univ. area had a swarm about 30 foot up. I told him less a hy-ranger to set the box up on a 12' aframe ladder and hope they come down. My bee's were all hanging out on the front of the hive last week or so ,and with coldfront that came thru sunday they are buggered down tight.