My hive swarmed this morning. I inspected them yesterday and noticed two uncapped queen cells. I added an Ideal super to the hive as they were jam packed but they took off this morning. I managed to catch the swarm and transfer them to a nuc box. This afternoon they left the nuc box and returned to the original hive. Has anyone else had that happen? They have not long settled and both Queen cells are now capped. It’s Autumn here in Brisbane, should I be looking at a split before they take off again?
It sounds like a practice swarm to me. They will take off again, especially seeing as those capped queen cells are present. If they take off again, and you’re able to catch them, take them about 5 k’s away into a completely new environment. Preferably not in a nuc box, but in an 8 or 10 frame brood box where they have room to grow into.
I would split the colony if it’s not too late. Again I would take the split away from familiar surroundings, on account that scout bees may have already decided on the ideal spot to make a new home.
Thanks Jeff, I’m at work today but will get the split done this afternoon if they haven’t already swarmed.
Good advice from Jeff as usual.
I’ll add, now that you’re in Varroa country expect colony behaviour to change. As feral bees and poorly managed colonies collapse especially with the double whammy of small hive beetle, your bees will likely swarm more and potentially abscond. New queens no longer offer a season or two of low or no swarming. They could swarm within weeks of her introduction. I’ve seen new queens superseded too.
Is it the mites/SHB or the treatments? Who knows? I have noticed that things settle down a year or two after Varroa hits. Low mite counts, low SHB, less treating, but swarming still relatively high.
Mike
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