For almost a year now, this hive has stood silent in my backyard. Today, just in time for my birthday, we caught a wayward swarm (likely from my other hive) and installed the girls all snuggly into their new home.
A gorgeous swarm in the neighborhood
Our swarm transfer process
Exposing their Nasonov glands to waft a “homing” pheromone
For more on technique, see: https://mistressbeek.com/2010/05/13/how-to-catch-a-swarm/
mistress beek 
Happy Birthday! Free bees are the best.
So this swarm hung in tree for a year?! We had a little debate going here recently as to how long a swarm would stay in a tree. How do they reproduce without comb to lay new eggs? AMAZING!
Oops! I see how my post was confusing — the swarm was actually there for just a couple hours, but I caught it and installed it in a hive that’s been empty for nearly a year. Just checked them this morning and the queen’s-a-laying, so good news for these girls!
Thanks for stopping by.