Dave,

Funny you mention about swarm already.

About a week and half ago, I found a swarm that had moved into one of my
empty hives that I always set up on a stand in my apiary.  But it was in
the middle of March: I have never seen a swarm this early in Oklahoma, for
we are now just barely starting a light flow!  Funnier still was the fact
that I had split the same Carnies about a week before; however, they
decided to swarm anyway, despite the plenty of expansion space [unlimited
brood chamber in three deeps], and I found them in the bottom of the two
deeps I had set aside, which had unused honey from a deadout over this
winter.

To protect these supers from mice/moth, I had placed on the entrance
broken blocks of trash lumber, which allowed a small entrance.  I was
going to use these leftovers to help out any weak colonies, but failed to
find any.  The swarm, I am certain, came out of the strongest colonies in
that apiary; I could tell by looking at the bees flying in and out at the
entrance as I always check and know which box puts out “the show of force”
or “shock and awe” in the afternoon.  I did not see the swarm fly, like
you did; however, I stumbled into three-frames of robust bees in that box
while trying to take those boxes home to store them for future swarm-
captures.  Dumb-founded was I when I heard a buzz as I opened up the
bottom box.  Luckily this swarm is early enough to produce.  I love my
Carnies and their TNT explosiveness.

Yoon

Shawnee, OK

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