Well all, this is an update to our swarm of bees that came this summer and that you all helped us so much with. We got two hive bodies, cut the bees down and placed them into the bottom hive body, with two frames on either side, and then 10 frames in the hive above that. Hubby did it as the overalls we found would only fit him. We did tape up all areas, like at his boots, had a smoker and hat/veil. He did get stung once where the tape came up at his neck but he handled it really good. Well, closed the thing up, put sugar water on them. But, a few minutes later they all came out and appear to have re-swarmed back into the tree, although on the other side. So, this is the update I promised. Don't know what's happening, perhaps the queen left the hive and they followed her? Maybe they don't like the new home?

-- Katie (ktthegardener@yahoo.com), November 04, 2000

Answers

i wastalking to joel about your problam an he said that happened to him once. he had to move the box because they kept going bact to the tree. 3 times but he didn't know why. we think you'll just have to buy some bees in spring an start again. i know it is frustrating. becky

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), November 05, 2000.

Kattie, I assume this happened shortly after you got the bees. If you 'captured' this swarm you probably didn't get the queen. The bees rarely leave when there is a queen present. If you order bees install them as directed...put your sugar feeder in the entrace along with an entrace reducer. Put them in the hive in the late afternoon and lightly stuff grass in the entrance....if they haven't removed the grass by noon the next day loosen it a bit to give them a hand. Seems like if they have to go to the effort of moving the grass they figure they have too much work invested in the place to leave it :o).

-- Amanda S (aseley@townsqr.com), November 06, 2000.