I have tried to keep bees is Oregon and twice my girls have swarmed. I need help.
Hi Baderett, there are many reasons for your hive to swarm, bee genetics/species, space, natural reproduction of the colony. This is not something you need to worry too much about, however you can look at ways to prevent swarming.
- create more space in the brood box, by moving honey/pollen frames up to a super, then adding empty drawn comb if you have it. Adding a second brood box.
- performing a hive split and create 2 hives from one
- leave a bait hive out in your yard to catch any stray swarms
- make sure your hive has good ventilation
Just some thoughts that may help.
Thank you for your reply. I should have been more clear. When my bees swarmed they all left. I only have an empty box brood box. I had a provider box available. Any thoughts?
I got them in early spring and they stayed through the winter. They swarmed and everyone vacated the following sping. A mouse got into the hive sometime during the winter. I thought that might be why they left.
Looks like they “absconded”. Live and learn, screen the entrance, get a new package and start again, you’re not alone, it happens.
Bees will abscond when a pest takes over a hive. Mice are particularly destructive. Large numbers of hive beetles and varroa will cause the bees to take off too. Do you know someone who catches swarms? A contact that could help you get started again?