BBKA Forum

Hello all - I have put out my first ever bait hive in the garden. Used BB with an old brood frame in it. Half a dozen bees have turned up today showing a bit of interest and they are going in and out quite regularly.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but if I am lucky enough to catch a swarm what does it look like when it is happening i.e. do they arrive en masse and go straight into the hive? Or would they likely settle on a nearby tree or similar first?

Thanks​

They usually arrive en mass and are all over the hive. Quite a sight. I have seen a couple of returning (mating) swarms but I have never seen a swarm freshly arriving in a bait hive.

Thanks. There are now dozens of bees showing an interest in the hive. From what I have read it can take a couple of weeks for anything to happen though?

It could be scavenger bees stealing wax if you have bait comb in there but equally also scout bees.
You will make no mistake when a swarm arrives ,the sky will be full of bees and the sound will drown out all other
You may see the core of the swarm,a darker concentration, drifting along like a tornado
All very spectacular.

It looks like this, unless you are more handsome than me, which is easy.....

MickBBKA wrote: ↑

23 Apr 2021, 00:40

It looks like this, unless you are more handsome than me, which is easy.....

Great pic! Thank you

Excellent!