We’ve had a lot of unusually warm weather here in Sydney and the bees have been very active. Lots of activity on the landing board, bees coming back with pollen packs and bees in the honey super filling out the frames. 2 weeks ago i did a hive inspection and replaced 2 honey packed frames with 2 new foundation frames. Lots of bees in the hive - looks very strong. I’m on the lookout for signs of swarming and intend to do another hive inspection shortly.
Yesterday while I was in the shed and noticed a half dozen bees had come in and were buzzing around the new hives I have ready to expand the colony this year. At first i thought they’d just got lost (the hive is on the other side of shed) - but this didnt happen last year (this year is the start of my 2nd year of beekeeping - last year the hive was started with a bee package). I’ve also noticed some bees checking out the eaves around the house occasionally.
Are these scout bees? If so, and considering they seemed to take a real interest in the empty hives in the shed - should I put these outside and set them up in case these scout bees are from other hives?
These particularly set up boxes are called bait hives. I recommend putting it in a desirable spot for a colony that gets enough sun (especially morning) and is at least a few feet off the ground. You could purchase some ‘swarm commander’ (a product) or make your own by sourcing lemongrass essential oil and dipping a cotton earbud in it and putting it in the hive. The scent is similar to a queen’s pheromone and is attractive to a scout bee and colony looking for a new permanent home.
I’ve also noticed a lot more bees looking in strange places for flowers that made me assume they’re scouts. I found a worker in my bedroom on a honey jar yesterday. An impressive nose!
Not the same info as I have read from Tom Seeley (and others).
Lemongrass is similar to the "Come Here" pheromone emitted by the Nasonov glands of bees. Queens actually don’t like it much, and if you use too much, they can be repelled by it. Queen pheromones are more like geranium essential oils, although a lot more complex. Nasonov pheromone is more complex too though:
Not wanting to be pedantic, just accurate. Lemongrass can work, as long as you don’t use too much. Swarm Commander works better, but is a lot more expensive. Probably worth it though. If I was in Aussie, I would use it.
HI Dawn - that’s interesting info! Thanks for sharing it. We use lemongrass oil - but very sparingly, just a drop or two. I’m curious now to try geranium oil sometime! @Bianca have you tried this as well?
thanks everyone great advice. I will setup two hives outside. i have also ordered swarm commander (i’d suggest ordering the genuine product - not the chinese copy - after reading reviews).
@Dawn_SD - I love your response, and I love Tom Seeley. Thank you for this information and for correcting me (as per Tom’s research). I will certainly pursue this new information.
He seems like a really nice guy too! I watched a short YouTube video of him some time ago, chasing feral bees around a meadow of flowers, working out where their colonies were. Not often that you see a senior university researcher doing their own field work! I should know, as I worked in universities for over 30 years… He also discouraged one of his students from doing something dangerous or silly. The student was researching the pain caused by stings in various body locations. He absolutely prohibited any deliberate stings near the eyes, and strongly discouraged testing stings on other highly “sensitive” parts. Good professor!
Lemongrass can work, as long as you don’t use too much. Swarm Commander works better, but is a lot more expensive. Probably worth it though. If I was in Aussie, I would use it.