First swarm of the season

[Johnny253]

Caught my first swarm for the season today. Nice big swarm hanging to the underside of a tree branch about 12 feet off the ground. I managed to put most of them into a 5 frame nuc and hope the rest will follow. I really need to make a bee vac, it would have made the job much easier.

[sawdstmakr]

For a swarm, you are much better off without the vac. Unless you set it just right, you can loose a lot of bees.
Jim

[bernsad]

How do you mean, "set it just right"? What settings are you adjusting?

[sawdstmakr]

There should be an extra hole in the box with a cover that allows you to open it up to reduce the suction on the hose. If the suction is more than what it takes to just barely pick up the bees you can end up loosing/killing more than half the bees.
Jim

[bernsad]

Thaks Jim. I've never used a bee vac yet so didn't know that vital bit of info.

[swiftden]

Nice looking swarm mate. I have boxed 4 in the last week. I think all have come from my own hives tho.

[Lord Viykor]

Good sized swarm, I got my first one a few weeks ago. How have they settled in to their new home?

[rawfind]

Caught my first swarm for the season today. Nice big swarm hanging to the underside of a tree branch about 12 feet off the ground. I managed to put most of them into a 5 frame nuc and hope the rest will follow. I really need to make a bee vac, it would have made the job much easier.

I use a 20 l honey pail  i have a hole in the lid with a bee escape attached, i shake in as many as i can put the lid on and hang the
pail by the handle as close as i can to where the swarm was, within 20 mins they usually all have gone in the bucket, works for me 

[Johnny253]

Thanks for the great idea rawfind, I'll keep that in mind for next time.

As I was unable to shake them, I didn't get all of them (that's where the vac would have been handy) and must have left the queen behind since by the next morning they had all returned to the underside of the branch. They left before I had a chance to try again.

[OzBuzz]

The season has started with a vengeance! I've collected three in the last four days! two swarms and one cutout...

Love the idea Rawfind! might have to give that a shot...