Beekeeping

[ponytug]

Just so I am clear on the trap geometry, that funnel, is just a funnel, and there can be back and forth traffic? (So the queen will move into the new "snazzier" quarters?)

Would the small queenless swarm have lost the queen somewhere in swarming, or is a half that got left behind, or the group that didn't follow directions well, or...?

All the best,

Peter

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Just so I am clear on the trap geometry, that funnel, is just a funnel, and there can be back and forth traffic? (So the queen will move into the new "snazzier" quarters?)

Would the small queenless swarm have lost the queen somewhere in swarming, or is a half that got left behind, or the group that didn't follow directions well, or...?

All the best,

Peter

So, the way bees locate, when they pass through the funnel, they find it almost impossible to find their way back in. It's a physiological thing. Not so much "snazzier".

The queenless swarm was cast during a very rainy period. They were on this tree for three days before we grabbed them... So best guess is they were left behind. They were a small swarm. It could be any number of things.

Extracted the last of the 100 pounds from the winter dead outs, I'll be purifying beeswax from the cappings soon.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Washed the wax, now to purify it.

 

[fishin coyote]

Just got back from retrieving a swarm trap. It’s been slow here so far this season, not sure if it’s because of all the rain or what. I’ve had scouts on 4 of the 5 traps out but only picked up one plus the group that moved in a few weeks ago. Supposed to get a stretch of dry weather so maybe that will spur on some swarms.