Mailing list for the Person County Beekeepers Association, Roxboro, NC

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I was dressed and about to check my dads hives when I looked out at the apiary and saw the bees swarming. I followed them across a field, they were hauling ----, and then out of site. I went across road hoping to find them, but no luck. I returned to the apiary and behold. There was a swarm in the cedar tree near the first hive. I had a empty nuc, proceeded to cut limb and shook bees into box. I waited about 5 minutes and then noticed a small swarm back on the cedar. I cut that limb as well. However, bees seemed to want to fly. I then noticed many of the bees returning to the hive.

 

So, I went ahead and just briefly checked my dads hives because of all the activity. Added a honey super to each. Lots of bees. I went back to nuc where I had deposited swarm and most bees gone. No queen.

 

So, question, should I have waited longer before trying to catch swarm? I read on internet that swarm needs to settle. Or, was the queen a virgin? Will hive try to swarm again?

 

I am thinking of going back in hives tomorrow to look for queen cells,etc. Should I split if there are queen cells?

 

Confused. Could someone give advice?

 

Thanks Lelia Gentry

 

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