Caught a swarm of bees: what to do next and how to transplant from a trap to a hive, tips

A swarm of bees is a natural division for large bee colonies. The insects tend to move with the queen and send out scouts looking for a good spot. Therefore, bee swarming is considered a natural phenomenon that helps families reproduce. At the same time, many beekeepers are engaged in catching swarms. However, after this, a logical question arises: I caught a swarm of bees - what should I do next?

Methods of planting caught bees

In order to transplant caught insects into a hive, certain rules must be followed. It is recommended that you consider the following:

• Choose warm and calm weather. At such a time, insects are relatively calm, because the risk that they will bite a person is minimal. At the same time, it is recommended to move the trap in the evening, when all the insects will be in the nest.
• Carefully remove the top of the trap. Bees often manage to build wax tongues inside the structure. This usually happens within a day of being in a new home.
• Important to make sure there are no queen bees on tongues.
• Pull the frames out of the trap and inspect them. In the absence of a uterus and a small sowing, it is required to shake off the insects and set aside the frame. If there is a queen, it is recommended to install the structure in the hive.
• If, after examining the frames, it was not possible to find the queen bee, this indicates that she remained in the trap. It needs to be obtained. In this case, the insects need to be shaken out into a new hive or the queen bee should be caught separately and moved to the dwelling.
• After finishing work, you need to install the missing number of frames in the hive and cover it with a canopy and a pillow. Then the roof should be put on. If bees remain in the trap, it is recommended to place it near the new house. After some time, all the insects themselves will fly into the hive.
• After a few days, the family adapts to new conditions. At this stage, the first inspection of housing can be carried out.

Beekeeper Tips

In order for a beginner beekeeper to be able to catch a swarm of bees and successfully transplant it into a hive, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• It is recommended to catch bees in the spring - in March or April.
• Fixing the trap is permissible only on very stable trees. The branch on which it will be located should not even swing minimally.
• The trap should be placed 3-5 meters from the ground.
• Don't count on a quick result.
• It's worth checking the trap periodically to make sure it's safe and clean. If moths or other insects appear inside, the bees will not get there.
• If insects, pests or mold are found on certain frames before the bees settle, it is recommended to replace them with new ones.

Resettlement should take place 1 month before the main bribe.

If the beekeeper planted bees at another time, he will suffer losses. If you move the insects in time, you will be able to harvest a bountiful harvest of honey.

Possible errors

If it is wrong to relocate bees to new housing, you should not count on successful adaptation.

Beekeepers beginners often make various mistakes:

• The hive is not properly prepared for new residents. Before moving the bees, their new housing must be carefully staffed.
• Wrong day chosen for relocation. Moving bees to the hive is required in warm and calm weather. They will be as calm as possible and will not bite the beekeeper.
• Immediately trying to move the swarm to a new home. Doing so is strictly prohibited. It is important to place the insects in a cool room for 2-3 days. This will help them calm down.
• Manually shifting the uterus to a new home. The only legal way to relocate the queen bee is to move the frame with her.

When can I put the bee trap back?

After transplanting the caught swarm, the trap should not be immediately returned to its place. It is important to consider that not all working individuals have time to return home before dark. They can spend the night on a flower or in a strange hive, after which they will head to the house. If there is a trap there, they will occupy it and live in it. At the same time, the scouts will no longer be able to get close to the structure.

Because before the next installation of the trap, you need to wait a few days so that the orphaned bees can return to the parent apiary.

Catching a swarm of bees has many nuances and features. To achieve the desired results, these rules must be taken into account. Equally important is the competent movement of insects to new housing. If everything is done correctly, you will be able to get a rich harvest of high-quality honey.

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