Had this swarm in my spruce. My hives are only 3 weeks old and still strong so I'm confident they are not mine.
I didn't have a home for them so I called another newbee and he came and got them.
Is it possible to take a small swarm and introduce them to an established hive?
I wouldn't add a swarm to an establish hive. what I would do with the swarm. split the swarm into two new hives with two new queens.
I have an experienced beekeeper who only prefers using swarms to start new hives.
How do you split them and keep them from flying back together?
Put the swarm in a box. let the bees draw out comb. once you have an establish hive. split it. I split by taking out 2 to 3 frames of capped brood. use one frame of honey and pollen. wait 24 hours to add a new matted queen. 10 frame hive body or a 5 frame nuc is a good way to start a new hive. I start my new hives in a 5 frame nuc.
This message was edited May 16, 2012 8:57 PM
