So the congestion in the observation hive is increasing again. It is 10 days since I first noticed a capped queen cell and none have hatched. I hear the queens quacking off and on. The bees are all over the queen cells that I have found. I wonder if this congestion indicates that the colony will swarm again when one of the queens finally makes it out of the cell?
Yes, the hive may cast off a number of after swarms. I have some interesting video from the 50s about skip beekeeping in Germany. Two episodes deal with primary and secondary swarming. I tried posting the videos, but they are too big and I have not found a way to compress them further. Any ideas Tod??? The video also shows a method of catching the swarm before the fly off. Exciting Liz.
I have seen those old fashioned skep keepers who sit and wait for the swarm to emerge and then put up a swarm bag to catch it. I’d love to try that but there are several obstacles. First, I need to construct a swarm bag. I think there are particular dimensions. Second, I’d have to be available to sit and watch the hive. But I actually have to work! I keep thinking that a queen is going to emerge any minute. If I were to sit and wait I’d’ve been waiting for 4 days now!
Kristien, would you like to drop by the house tomorrow around 11 and see if they are swarming? If so I’ll come home and we can collect them.