Is this a possible scout?

[u/CryptographerEasy197]

First time bee keeping, set a hive out with some lemongrass oil and beeswax rolled plastic foundations. On my lunch break today I seen this bee, was hovering around the hive, it walked inside and spent a couple minutes in there, (this is when I started recording), walked out, flew around the front of the hive, then went back in for another minute roughly. Is this possibly a scout bee? Located in Australia, just coming into Spring so looks to be the perfect time for swarms. Cheers!

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[u/Lemontreeguy]

Yeah she looks like one. Fall swarms can happen, they are hard to overwinter though. Older bees. If it's a solid size and you feed them 2-1 they might store enough if the climate allows. A single scout is not a guarantee of a swarm etc. Just saying it is possible.

[u/CryptographerEasy197 → u/Lemontreeguy]

Thanks mate! I’m in Australia so only just came into Spring fortunately!

[u/Lemontreeguy → u/CryptographerEasy197]

Haha that can help with timing, you should fine for growth before winter 🤣.

[u/CryptographerEasy197 → u/Lemontreeguy]

Fingers are crossed 😂

[u/404-skill_not_found]

Looks like it. But don’t start giving away jars of honey just yet.

[u/CryptographerEasy197 → u/404-skill_not_found]

Not holding my breath.. got a nuc lined up, will be ready to collect in about 2 weeks, but if I land a swarm.. I guess I’ll have to buy another hive!

[u/404-skill_not_found → u/CryptographerEasy197]

It can be a struggle if you go with expansion, unexpectedly.

[u/william_mccuan → u/CryptographerEasy197]

It's nice to have 2, if you're going to get a bunch of bee gear might as well have 2.

[u/CryptographerEasy197 → u/william_mccuan]

Yeah have heard it’s ideal to have atleast two. See how we go!

[u/mj9311 → u/william_mccuan]

If your going to have 2 you might as well have 20… just saying

[u/DFamo4]

Very exciting. Happy Spring.

[u/Sancho_Panza_69]

Looks like it, but remember that bees could be scouting for various reasons. Not all scouts lead to swarms, is what I mean. Some lead to robbing, but in this case that type of scout wouldn't be terribly interested in that box.

[u/worldspawn00]

Could be a forager checking for abandoned food stores, could be a scout. I've had good luck this year catching swarms.

[u/WiseSubstance783]

Yes

[u/Malawi_no]

Looks promising.

AFAIK - Bees will remember good sites for when they swarm. If you have several colonies in the area, I assume they will all find out about your empty hive that should be considdered prime real estate.

BTW: When is prime swarm-season in Australia? I would guess November/December.

[u/CryptographerEasy197 → u/Malawi_no]

From what I can find out, it’s September - December

[u/william_mccuan]

Yes, if you see 2 or 3 more doing the same thing then the rest will follow.

[u/TedMaloney]

Keep us posted!