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Barnyard Buddies:  Free bees?! - Update  |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1510 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 01 2012 : 12:34:47 PM
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I can't believe this!
I had two hives of honey bees that both died off last fall. The hives have been vacant for over 6 months. I wasn't able to get around to ordering new packages so I decided this year I would take a break and start again next year. So the hives and the old combs of honey are just sitting out in the field with a mouseguard waiting until next year.
Well, yesterday I was out at the garden property and noticed bees buzzing around both of my hives. It looks to me like a swarm of Italian honeybees has moved into both hives. They are busy carrying out debris and packing in fresh pollen.
Has anyone ever had this happen before? I'm wondering if it's alright to let them establish themselves with the queen they have, or if I should consider requeening them?
What do you girls think?
UPDATE: Well the "free" bees are still doing great. One hive is stronger than they other but they are both packing pollen in and I've found queens and all stages of brood in both hives. Today I happened across a swarm at work, so I went back later in the afternoon to capture it. So now I have three hives full of bees. This is so exciting...I really really hope I get to harvest some honey this year!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
Edited by - edlund33 on Jul 22 2012 9:11:31 PM |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2012 : 1:17:07 PM
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Usually if it is a swarm their queen is with them. I have also been told a swarm will build up a hive like gang busters. Give them a chance and see what is going on in the hive.
Michele |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2012 : 1:18:58 PM
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Sounds like they found a nice new furnished apartment.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2012 : 8:14:20 PM
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How interesting Marilyn- sounds like you have yourself two fully stocked hives! I hope that it all works out for you. Keep us posted!
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2012 : 07:53:20 AM
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Wow, ours swarmed and left this year, we were not able to keep the small hive beetles under control. Smile, you have a free hive.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1510 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2012 : 08:33:32 AM
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I'm planning to go out to the property in the next few days to open up the hives and take a peek. I need to figure out if there is one queen or two. I suppose it's possible that they are robbing honey out of the second hive and moving it to the main one. I've done some research online since my post yesterday, and it sounds like it is not particularily uncommon for swarming bees to adopt vacant hives if they happen across them and the conditions are right. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these bees will work out and want to stay around.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2012 : 1:53:14 PM
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One of our fellow beekeepers on the other side of town caught a swarm a couple of weeks ago too. We were joking about how maybe it was our bees that took off from our hive! I think beekeeping is so interesting. This is our first year and my hubby is in charge of that portion of our farm. He has one hive that is doing really well and the second hive has gone through 2 queens already and he just put another queen in today. I don't know what's going on....seems to me like beekeeping is kinda like trying to harness the wild for a while! I guess you never know what can happen huh!? Hope your bees stay and bring you some amazing honey!
~Hugs,
April
Playing in the Sonshine
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1510 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2012 : 8:30:45 PM
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Good news...the free bees are still there! At this point I'm pretty sure they are living in one hive and robbing stores from the one next door. I've been watching them and there seems to be a well worn flight path between the two hives. We've had such lousy cold, rainy weather recently that I still haven't been able to open the hives to see what's going on for sure. The weather forecast is looking better later this week so hopefully next weekend will be nice for a change. Have my fingers crossed for a honey harvest this fall!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2012 : 04:34:01 AM
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Nice way to catch a swarm! Easy too.
Hope you get some honey!
Michele |
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Sugar Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Pamela Jean
Sugarloaf
Ca
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2012 : 5:11:40 PM
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Yes, people up here set up hives, put in an attractant and hope a swarm finds there hives. Lucky you! I plan on starting a top bar next year.
Pam 
Stand for What's Right!
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2012 : 08:58:10 AM
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I'm happy you are getting more free bees. Enjoy their honey.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Barnyard Buddies: Free bees?! - Update |
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Free bees?! - Update
