Just a quick update on the swarm I had from your bait box just over 3 weeks
ago, Paul.
After my disastrous interventions with the previous swarm and the following
comb collapse and absconding , I’ve just let this lot alone apart from removing
the board underneath after a few chilly days to prevent overheating.
Yesterday I had a look for the first time since hiving them .
I originally transferred in 3 bars with comb plus bees from the bait box and
now there 5 in total, well combed and , though I didn’t look closely, some
brood I hope ...?.. honey stores etc
There are 8 more before the follower board - all new empty comb. The 8th is
obviously tiny at the moment but all very straight :) and not looking at all
precarious, or over soft.
They are a different character, I noticed, to the previous swarm.
These became irritated at even my very tentative inspection and grumpy with
gentle brushing away with the goose feather.
So I said thank you and left !
They seem settled but I didn’t inspect enough to determine status of brood or
spot the Queen....
The previous swarm seemed, on the face of it, to take my newbie poking around
in the hive without much upset....
Until they left the next day!
Lots to observe and learn...and the forum helping so much.
Thank you and I’ll keep updating.
Some questions - when pollen is collected do they also forage nectar at the
same time?
Do some only forage nectar? I see lots of what I think are workers without
pollen and not on navigation flights I don’t think.
How do they determine what to forage most of..
Availability of each?
Need of the hive?
Both?
Thanks all
Rh
Sent from my iPhone
