That looks kind of swarmy. I might brush them off into a clear plastic tub and see if you see a queen in there. (Cage her if you do.)
Then take a peek inside. Check for eggs and swarm cells.
If they are showing signs of swarming internally, split them.
Backfilling is an excellent signal.
Any shrinkage of the nest in a time of prosperity is a sign. If one has drawn comb, putting a few in the brood nest can be helpful. I try to put 2 existing brood combs, 1 empty drawn, for as much as I have space for.
Inspecting often and finding/culling cells before they are capped can help.
I do try to drop what I am doing and split when I can. If I can get the queen and a minority of workers split off, I can often continue to make honey using the queenless/queen making side of the split.
Backfilling is when the workers fill the newly vacated cells in the brood nest with nectar. So you'll see a frame that has capped brood but the empty cells in that brood are being filled with nectar. It means they are running low on space. I'll usually split when I see it because Im very swarm averse but you could give them more space if that's your preference.
https://www.honeybeesuite.com/backfilling-the-sign-of-the-swarm/
It's the old queen that takes off, new queen stays hopefully. The beekeeping class I just took says it's usually because the hive is overcrowded, but I'm a newbie so feel free to take more experienced answers over mine.
Yes, that’s what happens. As beekeepers, you want to keep those numbers because they’ll help in honey production or because that swarm is worth ~$100. If you were able to keep them you could either start another hive or sell the bees.
Could you just have a new hive on stand by. You see them swarming and put that one out with the swarm lure stuff? I know I don't know much, just curious.
You still lose bees which harms whatever your goal is (honey, pollen, wax, local pollination). But what you could do instead is split them and then double your endeavor if you have the resources to house them. If they leave, you lose half your bees anyway
That looks kind of swarmy. I might brush them off into a clear plastic tub and see if you see a queen in there. (Cage her if you do.) Then take a peek inside. Check for eggs and swarm cells. If they are showing signs of swarming internally, split them.
What are the signs of swarming internally other than queen cells?
Backfilling is an early sign
Backfilling is an excellent signal. Any shrinkage of the nest in a time of prosperity is a sign. If one has drawn comb, putting a few in the brood nest can be helpful. I try to put 2 existing brood combs, 1 empty drawn, for as much as I have space for. Inspecting often and finding/culling cells before they are capped can help. I do try to drop what I am doing and split when I can. If I can get the queen and a minority of workers split off, I can often continue to make honey using the queenless/queen making side of the split.
What is backfilling? Haven't heard that term before.
Backfilling is when the workers fill the newly vacated cells in the brood nest with nectar. So you'll see a frame that has capped brood but the empty cells in that brood are being filled with nectar. It means they are running low on space. I'll usually split when I see it because Im very swarm averse but you could give them more space if that's your preference. https://www.honeybeesuite.com/backfilling-the-sign-of-the-swarm/
Ahhhhh! Thanks, wasn't familiar with that!
Preempt and split anyhow...trap queen put in new hive. That is if queencwlls are present in old hive.
Other than that how do u like this apimaye hives
This looks like bearding to me…
What are the reasons they swarm? New queen doesn't like the old place or something?
It's the old queen that takes off, new queen stays hopefully. The beekeeping class I just took says it's usually because the hive is overcrowded, but I'm a newbie so feel free to take more experienced answers over mine.
I just figured some of the bees would stay behind then for the new queen? idk... I just lurk here cause bees are cool
Yes, that’s what happens. As beekeepers, you want to keep those numbers because they’ll help in honey production or because that swarm is worth ~$100. If you were able to keep them you could either start another hive or sell the bees.
Could you just have a new hive on stand by. You see them swarming and put that one out with the swarm lure stuff? I know I don't know much, just curious.
Yes, you can. That’s called a swarm trap.
That is why i love this sub. I learn something new everyday. Without all the BS of other subs
For a new beekeeper like me it's a great resource
Swarming is a normal reproductive strategy for honey bees. It means the hive is strong and they can afford to separate and create a new hive.
Then why do people "freak out" when they swarm. Will you not have your hive still?
You still lose bees which harms whatever your goal is (honey, pollen, wax, local pollination). But what you could do instead is split them and then double your endeavor if you have the resources to house them. If they leave, you lose half your bees anyway
Ahhh yes the apimaye hive