> From:    "Glen B. Glater" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Today's swarm
>
> ...
> The swarm was about 25 feet in front of my 2 hives.  How (if it is
> possible at all) can I tell if these bees are (used to be) mine?....
>
 
A way to accomplish this follows.  Shake the entire swarm into an empty
deep super which has a queen excluder nailed to the bottom.  Place an
inner cover over the top of the deep and elevate this now closed box on
cinder blocks or whatever works.  Pumping copious amounts of smoke into
the box will coax the workers to exit through the queen excluder and the
queen will be trapped behind.  Separated from the queen, the workers
will return to the location from which they emerged.  However, once the
site is identified you will know what hive is going to swarm again.  My
advice would be to consider yourself fortunate to have found the swarm,
catch it, and evaluate your other hives to determine what management is
in order for the possibly 'post swarming' state.
 
Incidently, swarms can be excellent comb honey producers.  It is
amazing how quickly a swarm can draw and fill foundation only boxes!
 
Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!