Beverley
Beekeepers' Association
The
local Beekeeping Association for East Yorkshire
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Collecting
Swarms
As a beginner the first swarms you collect will probably be
your own. Get an experienced beekeeper to help you.
Although swarms are generally very docile, having just
gorged themselves on honey, never risk not wearing you full
protective clothing.
If you are lucky your swarm will have settled on the branch
of a low tree or shrub and can be shaken into a box or
skep. If not the swarm may be encouraged to climb upwards
into an inverted box by smoking. Once captured, place a
sheet on the ground and careful place the upturned box on
top of it in a cool spot close to where the swarm was
captured. Leave a while for the straggling bees to join,
which demonstrates you have got the queen.
The best time to hive a swarm is in the evening. The quick
method is to simply shake the swarm into an empty brood box
and floor with the entrance sealed. Gently lower all eleven
frames of foundation into the hive and put on the crown
board and roof. Open the entrance and next evening give the
bees a gallon of light syrup via a feeder which will
encourage them to draw out some beautiful comb.
The
traditional method takes a little longer but can never fail
to leave all witnesses in awe. The empty hive is completely
assembled, a sheet is placed on the ground in front of the
hive, and a piece of hardboard sloped from the sheet up to
the hive entrance. The bees are tipped from the collection
box on to the sheet. In a short time, attracted by the
smell of the foundation, the bees will march into the hive.
They may be encouraged with a little smoke but once they
get the idea they surge into their new home. With luck you
may notice the queen enter. A feeder can then be given as
before.
