Honey Bee Swarm Capture Attempt - March 2024

This video shows an attempt to capture a honey bee swarm.

[@LSUTigerMom]

With a swarm that size, I would skip the nuc size and use a 10 frame brood box. I start with 5 frames in it since they like extra space when they swarm. Then in about a week, add the other 5 frames. Love the sound of fanning🎉

[@alexjenkins433]

Use a full size box and put a queen excluder between the base and brood box. That way the queen cant get out and the swarm will settle in. Remove the queen excluder after a week or signs of laying in the box. Also agree with others the box was too small for that size swarm, full depth 8 or 10 frame or a 2 stack of what you were using. Cheers from Townsville, Australia

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you for your recommendations!

[@LSUTigerMom]

Since this is a popular spot for swarms (4-5 last year), you can hang a swarm trap there and drop in a cotton ball with no more than 2-3 drops of lemongrass oil. They are attracted to the lemongrass oil. Then the scouts can check out the box. Before you know it, a swarm will move in! That swarm box is the perfect size. Looks like it is built to Prof. Tom Seely’s dimensions.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

@LSUTigerMom, I haven't tried lemongrass oil to attract swarms, but I will check into it. Thank you!

[@kaecake9575]

I would like to become a beekeeper I have quite a large area:) Subscribed! Ahéhee for showing your experience _Diné Nation_ 🕊️

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

You should definitely do it! Take the next 11 months to increase your knowledge of beekeeping and purchase equipment & supplies. Start with at least two nucs in March.

[@kaecake9575]

@@ThePracticalBeekeeper 👍

[@andrewstancil1723]

You didn’t want to pick them up with your hands and put them in the box while looking for the queen earlier instead of waiting?

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

I was somewhat impatient with that swarm. There wee a lot of bees and it might have taken some time to locate the queen. Next time, I will most likely take a brood frame from one the other boxes and then add the bees. I successfully captured another swarm a few days ago using that approach. Thanks for watching!

[@wallyholland892]

Why did you take so long get you a sheet or a tarp lay down under the bees put the Box facing the fence and shake them down on the tarp and let them go in that way you got to make there mind up you can't let them make their mind up in my opinion you spent about 20 minutes too long

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you for the recommendation!

[@stickerchicago]

What area of the county are you in? I'm not sure when swarms happen here in Chicagoland area....

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

@stickerchicago's, I am located in Southeast USA. Swarm season should currently be in full swing in Chicagoland.

[@robertleibold4502]

Newbee here, but why didn't you let them march in the hive box instead of the nuc? Thanks !!

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

It appeared that they weren't all marching into the box. As I mentioned in another comment, I will add a larvae frame from another hive next time. Please stay tuned for more.

[@pbest5040]

Maybe the box was too small. They may have preferred the larger swarm box. Good luck with future swarms....

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

They weren't comfortable with the nuc for some reason. It might have been its size. I will take a larvae frame from another hive and place it in the nuc or swarm trap. A more experienced beekeeper told me that a swarm is not likely to leave a hive with larvae. Thanks for watching, and please stay tuned for more.

[@raymondbrown867]

Looks like bee number are bigger than nuc.im surprised you didn't just use a 10 Frame deep.less work and not stress to bees.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Yes, I probably should have used the larger hive box.

[@lindagray5857]

Always hate to lose a swarm but it happens to all of us. Good luck.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you!

[@Vogda]

if you add one frame with an open brood (they will never leave behind an open brood) and shake the swarm over the queen most likely will fall in the box. the bees will not escape. But interesting video, thanks.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you for the advice!

[@wallyholland892]

If you just had one frame of a cone dark cone they would have gone in there in 5 minutes

[@kh7794]

I think that box was too small and would have preferred the white box.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you!

[@anthonymuma4602]

What area or state are you in?

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

I am located in the Southeast, USA.

[@fidelitorubi7137]

Hi the hive may be mine o Lost a bee hive just few weeks ago where are You Locatel My friend ?

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

I am sorry to hear about you losing the bees. I am located in the southeast USA.

[@Eudawerya]

I don't even finish watching it, I'll give it like and hopefully the video will get 4 views, just kidding, let it be 4 million, just so I wrote that you find a service that will allow you to promote your channel.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Great!

[@richardrbrynerjr.7912]

Hang the box on that fence for a secondary swarm! Nice try!!

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you!

[@titan9672]

...Box is too small.. you need 5 frames with empty space.. they need to feel that the swarm has space to grow. 1 frame with drawn comb. The rest empty.... they are full of wax and honey and want to be able to go to work

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

@titan9672, I agree that the box was likely too small. I underestimated the size of the swarm.

[@titan9672]

@ThePracticalBeekeeper Thank you for the reply... the wise man is only wise because of the number of times he has failed. I, too have missed more than I have caught. I have been successful with 6 swarms this season and always hope for more. Keep up the great content and keep going for the love of the bees. Thumbs up from me.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

@@titan9672, I do not profess to being an expert beekeeper. My knowledge and skills are imperfect, but I am learning every day!

[@fidelitorubi7137]

What should do to capture one the was the only one i had

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

I encourage you to put lemongrass oil on a cotton ball and place it inside your existing hive. That will likely attract a swarm.

[@gordonspond8223]

I built myself a bee-vac, which is invaluable for these types of situations.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

I need to look into building a bee-vac. Thank you!

[@1425race]

I would invest in a bee vacuum - better chance of capturing the queen quickly before the swarm vacates the area.

[@ThePracticalBeekeeper]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@marcosmarcos665]

nice video! sub :)

[@Swarmstead]

Alot of these comments demonstrate that beekeepers are the worst people in the world. Work and learn at your own pace and enjoy yourself. These people man.