My Bees Swarmed, Now What?

[@ShortBeakBudapest]

There is one point that all experienced beekeepers need to make novices aware of. Drawn out comb is like having gold. Without resources it is very difficult to establish a viable hive.

[@gc47]

Don't apologize for the way your coming accross to us while sharing your experience..... Thanks for your videos😁😁👍👍👍👍

[@cynthiakoch3122]

Amen, too many people judge themselves harshly. I could talk all day about generational trauma. Truth "bee" told, it is very hard work to change our autopilot but so worth it. God bless

[@kathyhathaway8823]

You did good

[@JCsBees]

Thanks.

[@cynthiakoch3122]

Thanks for you advice and thanks for the informative video.

[@JCsBees]

My pleasure!

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

pro tip for you Jason...bring a smoker...after you shake off the swarm, use the smoker on the branch ...it will stop bees from congregating back on the branch. Works like a charm.

[@woodchucktinman9893]

It does work like a charm. I do the same, heavy smoke, to block the pheromone.

[@JCsBees]

@Kevin McMahon Yeah, I have used that trick but I wasn't impressed. It's my experience the bees just keep going higher in the tree to limbs I can't reach to smoke. I do us that method though when I don't have my sprays with me. BTW it's nice to see your still following my video, haven't seen a comment from you in some time!

[@JCsBees]

I guess I better included that when you remove a swarm from someone else's home you can't really stay there all day and smoke the bees and the home owner usually want the bees to leave, this spray is the answer for this. As you know we don't get every single bee in the box.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

@@JCsBees I'm working for a commercial beekeeper with 2500 hives....not a lot of time anymore unfortunately.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

@@JCsBees honestly never had an issue...at the yards...we just shake and smoke for a few minutes......the bees just go to the box instead.

[@ShortBeakBudapest]

I don’t place swarms the way that you did. I have had a hard time getting them all in. I usually cut the branch if I can. I have blocked the entrance and have actually kept them in for a day. Feeders etc. But what I do is put the super with frames on the bottom. Then I put an empty super on top to act like a funnel. After I place them in the upper super I cover it. The.bees migrant down and the next day I remove the super. I like you queen catcher with the screen. I did have virgins squeeze through the openings as you stated. I have learned a great deal from you regarding bees and hive management. Thank you.

[@jerrymerrick8608]

Very nice. So glad you held off, with the Bee brush. I commend your patience. As you said they will figure it out. I’ve learned, my bees Hate the brush, really bad. Great info, Thank you for posting. 3rd year, in NJ.

[@JCsBees]

Well let me tell you all bee brushes are not made the same and some are much better than others. Mine is from Mann Lake and bees don't mind it. This is because the bristles are nylon. I have had other brushes that the bees get stuck in the bristles and that makes them a little upset. I'd upgrade your brush if your brush is one that makes them mad. Trust me, it's well worth the money for a good brush. I actually think my first brush was a drafting brush made of horse hair, it sucked for beekeeping.

[@jerrymerrick8608]

Thank you. Yes, mine is horse hair. 🙄 they do get stuck and get pissy. I never thought it was the type of Brussels. Was about to buy some feathers. I will give that a try, if need be. To be honest, I don’t know if you said, They will figure it out in an earlier vid years ago, when I was just learning. but, that, has been my approach, manage, do my part, help when needed, think ahead. What a great hobby. You are a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Jerry, 3rd year in NJ

[@memyselfandi1512]

I use a turkey vulture feather

[@notafuckinpplperson8233]

russ macomb i use a pterodactyl feather

[@bobbybighoof]

After 3 years of looking into and researching into honey bees; I have not seen even 1 honey bee on my property. lol then found out there are 0 bee keepers on my side of town. lol so hence me wanting to keep bees for myself. But would love to work with swarms that's very hands on and personal beekeeping. You handle things very well. I hope look half as good just being a bee guy.

[@johnowen9831]

You could have let lose the queen from her cage but set the queen excluder on the entrance Its something I am guilty of as well ! Good video.

[@63italic]

Why did you cage the Queen? Id that to avoid swarming again?

[@JCsBees]

Yes to avoid swarming again.

[@cynthiakoch3122]

If I send you a video of bee's I successfully helped make the winter (I think?), can you give me advice on the covers I have on the tree? They are in a Catawba tree. A swarm came 4 springs ago, into a HUGE the hole in the tree. I enjoyed them immensely. There was nothing in the spring 😒. Next spring as per pheromones another swarm came. That winter, I covered the hole with assorted heavy fabric (always leaving entrance holes). I was also battling squirrels, as we have cold PA winters.. those hole were numerous and often. Lost them too😒😒. Last spring our NOW bees came.. I covered the hole with old barn wood leaving a slot 2/3's down and an opening at top. I used newspaper and a table-saw for the pattern after measuring the hole every which way. In fall I added another piece of planed ash using same saw and pattern. I painted that piece to match tree. I also created mounts (that is a story) as this piece is larger which leaves space between the two pieces of wood. I see they seem to have guards just inside the 1st piece of wood when it is warmer as we also have carpenter ants in PA.. and they love Catawba trees. They made the winter! Yay. I fed fondant on a tree stump 17 (ish) feet away on days over 50 (PA winters are weird) I was afraid they didn't have time to make enough food for the winter. Obviously I fed 'em too much as they are swarming. I am glad they are happy💃. I saw drones on the ground the past 3-5 weeks, I never saw one. They are so cute and fat. I know they are tossed or have injured wings so I let 'em live out their life (short) with me, dying warm & not hungry. Now here is the kicker, this tree is not on my property, it is on my neighbors property.. in a fairly bustling town. Yup it is true. I also witnessed all three swarms arrive... How lucky was I? I live outside in the summer gardening & selling plants and giving away free milkweed. I also maintain said neighbors property. I raise and tag Monarch butterfly's in mid to late summer. I have had 3 tags make it to Mexico, 3 years in a row. God bless. * The question amongst my tangent(s) is: should I leave the 2nd cover on? The tree is shaded till 4-5pm (ish).

[@deniseclatterbuck1409]

Thank-you for your time and experience. Your video was very imformative. We've been bee keeping for about 3 years now, but our hives either swarm and/or die. We've treated for varroa mites and hive beetles etc, per the recommendation from our class and other bee keepers but no luck. I have developed a reaction to bee stings, so I really haven't done much other than spin honey, strain it and bottle it. My husband does all the fun and interesting side of bee keeping. Still trying to locate our swarm. Wish us luck!

[@JCsBees]

Well the best of luck finding them. Once spring gets here try setting out some sugar syrup or honey and see if it attracts any bees. If so, try to follow them back to their hive.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

if you have one of those old small crowbars for pulling nails with holes through them put a string on it then when your bees swarm start clanging on your tool. the bees will settle near you low down where you can get them easier.

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Yes that is a BEAUTIFUL split setup on that swarm save. Your gonna get two strong colonies for your efforts. Thanks for sharing.

[@lisag2922]

So many

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

jc swarmy. what a guy. keep on working on those bees jc.

[@saeed4ish]

Hi friend I have questions if you can help me I have two queen it comes out from 10 frames hive and I introduced in 2 five frames nuc so everyday getting to small and is not mated yet until I see today only has less than a cup of bees in there and put them in the small fome mated box I don’t know what I can do at this moment one of them has more bees than the next one can you let me what I can do to get more bee in there if I put some more bees they killed each Oder

[@billmitchell7731]

Love this bee stuff. And love honey👍👍👍

[@firedragonjjj]

Hi sir may I know where you got the feeder from thanks

[@JOSIANGREENVLOGS]

Very useful information

[@JCsBees]

Glad you liked it

[@wadebarnes6720]

Have you ever looked for a secondary Queen

[@memyselfandi1512]

How is the decision made as to who goes with the queen and who stays?

[@JCsBees]

A lot has to do with the bees ages. The young bees, aka nurse bees have never flew before so usually they are left to manage any brood left behind. The rest usually leave.

[@alexpaulson4597]

Very nice! Good eye finding that queen! You were not kidding about the bees getting locked onto a frame of brood! Wow! I've been saying I'd be your cameraman for quite some time now, lol! Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@JCsBees]

Thanks! I will not lie, I am good a finding queens. My eyes seem to lock right on to them as they become visible. So when are you gonna show up to help cameraman? I mean I've been waiting and waiting but still no Alex. lol

[@alexpaulson4597]

You've got the eye, and a lot of practice! I'm that way with deer. I can spot them 3,000 yards away, on the other side of a oak tree covered hill, in the fog! lol! I'll come and film for you as soon as I can afford a road trip, or plane ticket! haha! I'm still trying to think of a 'dislike' quote, but can't come up with anything catchy and original. Take care!

[@JCsBees]

Sounds like I need your help when I go daily to move the herd, maybe you could help spot calves that didn't move. lol Yeah, I have been trying to thinking of a dislike tag line too but still nothing. It's tricky because saying the wrong thing could be offensive to some and I don't need no back lashing. lol

[@alexpaulson4597]

Not sure if my radar works for calves, but you never know!

[@notafuckinpplperson8233]

and this ladies and gents is how the movie brokeback mountain came to bee

[@lvbees6128]

Good job locating the queen. I prefer to use a white 5gal bucket to shake swarm into. Foragers will fly but nurse bees & queen will spread out along the wall of bucket and locating queen somewhat easy because there's nowhere for her to hide.

[@JCsBees]

I've had the queen take flight too many times to take any risk. If there is one thing that is for sure about keeping bees it's that we all have different methods to do the same task.

[@memyselfandi1512]

So could a swarm come back and become robbers to the original colony from which they came?

[@JCsBees]

Sure could! Once they swarm they are a new colony.

[@ralphcook4444]

Like the video but have questions? I live in North West GA got a call about swarm. Caught them and brought home put in different box. About an hour later they swarm. Yes I put back in box week later they swarmed again. Got them again but lost them swarmed again and nothing was done inbox why?

[@hughyhughes8058]

Did you ask them to stay. Serious. Try it.

[@JCsBees]

@Ralph Cook This is the reason I took all the extra steps. Did you notice I had the entrance blocked until I caught the queen? I also added a frame of brood. Swarms can be very, very picky about their new home. I have done just as you before and it's no fun to chase them over and over. I got to the point if they wanted to leave then they were free to do so. I have also tried putting an excluder under the hive so the bees have travel through it to get to the entrance, that seemed to work in the past.

[@JCsBees]

@Hughy Hughes I've tried asking them to make queen cells, it doesn't work. lol

[@memyselfandi1512]

@@hughyhughes8058 I'm totally hip to telling the bees what you are doing. Bees are much more intelligent then we give them credit for. When I was staple gunning an entrance reducer to the hive I told them "It's okay, it's just me...okay just a few more staples" Kid you not, a guard bee came out looked at me and went back inside.

[@brucekellman821]

As ALWAYS Jason, INTERESTING, HELPFUL, CLASS ACT VIDEO! Sorry brother I haven't been up with ya, but you DEF KNOW how this time of season can be! 👊

[@zalmaflash]

Good informative video. Thanks

[@jimwaldele9084]

hello n thank you again,, at 22.00 when you returned you showed most of the bees had went in to bottom box,, my question is,, the bees on the inside walls faning there wings hard,,were they blowing queen faramon into air so others knows ''hay we over here thing'' or were they buzzing cause they think they are queenless,, awesome videos you have please keep on for im sure myself n many others ha learned much from you

[@JCsBees]

They were fanning the queens pheromones. Glad you enjoy the videos.

[@hockinghillshoneyfarm9273]

I liked it great video

[@oscarb9139]

My buddy had a swarm collect on a branch near his home. He shook them into a 10 frame box with the center 4 frames removed. He didn’t try to find the queen and closed up the hive box. The box had some drawn comb. 4 days later, they left. Is that a common thing? I told him to put a queen excluder between the box and the bottom board to keep her from leaving next time. What is your opinion on that? He has had three swarms near his house, and only had the opportunity to catch one of them.

[@JCsBees]

This is common, swarms are very picky about their new home. If there is one thing they do not like, they leave. I have used and excuder under hive before with success.

[@oscarb9139]

Jason Chrisman Thank you.

[@matthewmccormick2417]

Remember there maybe more then 1 Queen in a swarm

[@johnclarke4711]

I wish you were my man our

[@joelwhite4963]

It's kind of late for starting a new colony. Will you have to feed them the rest of the summer? An old proverb: "Swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly, a proverbial bee-keepers' saying, mid 17th century; meaning that the later in the year it is, the less time there will be for bees to collect pollen from flowers in blossom."

[@JCsBees]

Nope! I always make splits to overwinter in July. I have heard the saying before and it does have some truth to it but at the same time a swarm in July will overwinter and be worth $180 to me in a nuc, I'd say that is profitable wouldn't you?

[@woodchucktinman9893]

In todays modern beekeeping and feeding them a little is a major game changer. More than ever we need to be beekeepers and not bee havers. Just a little intervention they can really thrive.

[@richardkuhn8115]

Very informative video Jason. You explain actions very well. Thank you.

[@SakimasRidgeHomestead]

Good catch! It would have been interesting to see if they would have made it to your swarm trap.

[@cetuspa]

Very realaxing to watch Life is GOOD

[@robertmathurin2544]

Those Cannaries are professional musicians... LoL 😂🇱🇨

[@brucewest4862]

What did you do with the frames with the swarm cells that caused the swarm?

[@billbyrd9845]

I wonder about ventilation for the feeding trays.

[@OklahomaBeekeeper]

Good video. I've always been afraid of using a queen clip. I think I would probably cut the queen into. Maybe you could get someone to film you using it properly and show us in a video, in slow motion.

[@JCsBees]

Really the best way to get used to using the queen catcher is to use it on workers. Pick one you'd like to catch and go for it. Me getting a camera man would be like my chickens growing teeth, ain't gonna happen. lol

[@1wildwackywoman]

You make this look so easy!

[@JCsBees]

Thanks! I've had a little practice over 10 years of keeping bees.

[@oscarb9139]

How long did you keep the queen caged?

[@JCsBees]

Just 2 days.

[@smokiestchief5396]

Hello

[@JCsBees]

Hello!

[@timcaron9049]

Love the video Jason. I know that you put a lot of work to get them out and us in KZbin land really appreciate it. Take care. Tim

[@JCsBees]

Thanks Tim! Yes, this video was a pain in the butt most of the night to get uploaded. I started unloading it mid day yesterday and kept getting errors. Woke up super early to make sure this video would be ready by 7am this morning for subscribers.

[@timcaron9049]

I don't know a farmer that does not get up early...hehehe. Others I have heard that they too have difficulties uploading as it takes forever. You would think with todays technology they would find a way to speed it up. Anyway, sit, relax and have a morning coffee while waiting. Thanks again.

[@JCsBees]

My problem is in my rural area they are not worried about getting us up to speed with the internet. Have a great day!

[@peterlightbody8443]

Interesting always learn something watching your videos thanks Peter Australia

[@lifeonsibuyanphilippines7212]

Why did you not just keep them in the big box you shaked them into?

[@jimyoungblood1687]

JC, do you think a hive will swarm if there isn't enough resources in an area where there are too many hives and too few nectar/pollen sources to support them all?

[@wadebarnes6720]

Do you let them build all new cone I heard that was the best time to get new cone with a swarm

[@jenniferwhite6089]

ok you asked for the questions where did they take the lesson from witch collage bees go too lol your condo development has a pools awesome idea no need to swarm any more lol smile Mr. Ed will be scratching his head lol pool for bee and a condo development too would be a profit if the condo smile Mr. Eds satellite

[@edcoffin3514]

Jason, would it be better to put a queen excluder over the entrance an just release the queen an let her do what she is born to do,,,,eggs,eggs an more eggs😎😎😎

[@JCsBees]

@Ed Coffin I have done that and it did work but it;s risky. Some queens are able to get through the excluder and that wasn't a risk I wanted to take. Note the screen in my queen catcher.

[@wadebarnes6720]

Just curious why didn't he make two nukes out of it you had Queen cells and a queen

[@sharonriley948]

Wow jason I love to see and catch a swarm, HOWEVER I would rather manage well enough that they don't swarm on me. Rick in Pa.

[@JCsBees]

Very true Rick, They swarmed because the beekeeper didn't do his job. lol

[@michaelstein7222]

hi

[@JCsBees]

@Michael Stein Howdy!

[@Digger927]

Well Jason, let me be "that guy" that points out everything you did wrong: 1. Your cloths are poorly matched 2. You are not properly accessorized 3. uhm...your trees aren't manicured as well as they could be? That's all I got, if you're disappointed because you wanted harsher comments then you'll have to look around youtube more, lol. Good job on the swarm capture, it made a fun video. ;)

[@JCsBees]

First off, I'm a country boy your lucky I even have a shirt on and I never practicing matching my clothes. Your right on me not being prepared with the proper accessories though, shame on me. As far as my trees they get manicured by mother nature not me. lol It was fun capturing this swarm because I had my ducks lined up and it did fly away again. 🙂

[@Digger927]

@@JCsBees Lol! Yeah sometimes they just want to go in the wind. I went years without having a captured swarm absconding then all at once last year I had two that wouldn't stay in spite of me catching both of them twice. One ended up hanging in a tree top here in the yard for four days, too high up for me to get to so I left them there. It was a small cluster anyway. Some things just aren't meant to be I guess.

[@RaySarasin]

I watch the bush were my hive is at for a swarm one day it will happen cheers

[@thehomeplatespecial597]

Do your arms get stung? Why do some ppl wear the whole suit and some just the head veil? Can someone who isnt allergic suddenly go allergic to stings. People do that with food and alergies like black pepper or brazillian pepper trees.

[@JCsBees]

No I don't get stung very often. My bees are pretty docile until late summer when they have lots of stored honey to protect. Some peoples bees are just mean and they need full protection. I prefer calm bees. Yes, I do think a person that is not allergic could become allergic.

[@thehomeplatespecial597]

@@JCsBees thank you for the reply. If someone has a mean hive I wonder what their options are. They can be tamed somehow? You have a lot of bee boxes and bees! So beautiful!

[@JCsBees]

Mean hives can surely kill the fun in keeping bees. The best way to fix a mean colony is to give them a new queen and kill the old. The queen control everything even their temperament. If you search "Re-queening a mean hive" I am sure you will see a video on the process. It's crazy to watch mean bees attack repeatedly. Yes, I do have a few and I love them all. Bees are great to have and work as long as they are docile.

[@sigma_kappa]

Noice one mate

[@tomlacorte4553]

That looks bigger then a nucs swarm

[@woodchucktinman9893]

Often times they pick up extra bees. I have one now that I put the queen in a cage and set her on a workbench and after 1 day sitting there she has alot more bees.

[@JCsBees]

@Tom Lacorte They are comfortable in their little cottage. lol

[@lauriechrist1333]

Hello Jason, I just found your KZbin channel, been looking through your videos. This is my 1st year of beekeeping, I noticed you have videos from the winter month, My question is, what state are you from? We are in Michigan.

[@JCsBees]

Hello Laurie, I am in central Ohio so we are not far from one another. Hope your enjoying my videos.

[@hughyhughes8058]

Hey umm, odd question, but say perhaps I did want to buy that sweaty shirt of yours... how much would it cost me? Regards

[@JCsBees]

@Hughy Hughes If you wanted my old sweaty shirt you'd have to buy me replacement. I must say this shirt is one of my favorites.

[@hughyhughes8058]

Okay, fair call. Our Aussie dollar is rubbish at the moment, I'll wait until it improves and then look at buying you something. Cheers mate

[@437AlBig]

Nice catch. I was able to catch one of my hives that had swarmed too. Funny thing it wasn't a marked queen like I thought it would be. I think the original queen had swarmed and I missed her do it. Oh well. at least I caught this one.

[@JCsBees]

@Rob Alfred The bees keep us on our toes for sure. Glad you caught one of your swarms before they got away.

[@maxhoney9108]

Well that's your problem your box is way too small for the hive .

[@ShortBeakBudapest]

Address. Michael Seiler. 896 Anderson Road, Jackson, NJ. 08527

[@johnburns2510]

You really shouldn’t have to cage the queen of a swarm after they are boxed. If you have clean foundation the bees will go to work. I’ve never lost a queen from a swarm after placing in a box with natural foundation and at least one frame with honey.