Will these cells produce a well mated queen? I should know by the end of July. / phillipcairns / mudsongsbeekeeping / mudsongs24 mudsongs.org/ #beekeeping in #newfoundland
brother, i am new to beekeeping. i never thought i would be drawn to this, but here i am. Never saw myself as a beekeeper....i live in St.Johns, and i am putting out some swarm traps......Is it the right time, will they be attracted.......
There may not be as many swarms as media attention might make it seem, but over crowded colonies tend to swarm in June, July and August. The best place to set up a swarm trap in St. John's is probably the Waterford Bridge Rd area. That place is a haven for honey bees and swarms.
I love your content. Nothing really out there for this province. I am a retired Military guy. And I did an introduction to 🐝 at Avalon Homestead. I really liked it. I am on the list for some Nucs from the Bearded beekeeper. For some reason, the noise the bees make help my PTSD from Afghanistan, weird..so, I have a swarm trap out in North River, and looking at what you said .this may be presumptuous of me, but if you ever need Anny help, iam retired, and love in St.Johns
A good swarm trap contains drawn comb of some sort, preferably old drone comb. I don't know why, but swarms seem to like drone comb. A six-frame nuc with deep frames I think is the standard size used for attracting swarms, though don't quote me on that. It's not uncommon for swarms to move into old empty hives, which have nothing special in them except old dried up comb. A tiny dab of lemongrass oil goes a long way. Commercial lures work too, but lemongrass oil is much cheaper. Apparently the buzzing of the bees, when they're not trying to sting you in the face, has a calming effect. I've spent countless hours over the years just hanging out with the bees, watching them, listening to them. You're not the first person I've talked to who has found beekeeping helpful with their PTSD. If you have all your beekeeping gear and hive components, I know other beekeepers, not members of the beekeeping association, who produce nucs for sale if you can't get any. It's getting late in the year for new orders, but I can pass the word on if you think you're ready for some bees now.