Bee swarm and capture 6-8-2009

countrynest

14 years ago

A new swarm of bees left my main hive with the queen in the center looking for a new home.

They made a stop on an oak branch at about 1oo feet east of the main hive and about 10 feet off the ground.

Here is a close up of the bees.

My son,Jeremy,putting his hand up close to the swarm. Not

one sting.

Jeremy saw the swarm hovering and going in circle in the air,from a distance when he got home from work,this afternoon. He came into my bedroom to tell me. So we went to capture them.

I put a bee box under the swarm once they settle on the branch. It was too far up. So I picked up the box,while Jeremy lowered the branch as much as he could then he shook it.

Most of the bees fell inside the box and on my arms and head.Not one sting. Just felt ticklish and weird. He he he

The rest of the bees began to file into the box via the entrance. We found the queen to the right of the entrance.

She was very big. Big eyes,big shoulder and big butt.

That is how the queen is identified.

We waited for all the bees to get inside,then we put the rest of the frames and the cover and put it on concrete blocks.

It was really good to get some help from Jeremy. Aaron does not feel safe around the bees.

Now my girls are safe and sound if we get rain from those dark clouds in the distance.

Then Ginger,the horse knock me over and almost broke both of my legs but that is another story here in the farm.

God is good,I was just scratched and very shook

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Comments (19)

happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
14 years ago
Felix, what an amazing day you had! Thanks for the great bee pictures. That was just incredible. It's a good thing that bees don't sting when they swarm.

Christine
solstice98
14 years ago
Wonderful! Amazing!
Thanks for sharing this event!

Kate
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Generally, swarming bees do not attack, because they have nothing to defend (no honey, no children). However, I wouldn't try to remove them without a beesuit. I am really surprised that none of the local beekeepers want to help you. Geez, that's a real drag--certatinly wouldn't happen in our neighborhood. The bees won't stay in a clump on a branch for very long--they will try to find a real home within a day or two, so you can just wait until they leave. Unfortunately, they may decide to move from the tree to somewhere in your house, which would make the problem go from bad to worse. So, what's to do? Well, by any chance do you have a bee supply place locally? If so, you could purchase a standard beehive box, and put them in there. Or, you could put them in a box of some sort, and take them out of town. To move them at all, however, you'll need to either buy a beesuit, or figure out some way to cover yourself completely. Some form of netting over the head is essential--if bees are going to attack (not likely in this case, but there's no sense taking a chance), plus long overalls, leather gloves, workboots and trousers with the cuffs taped shut. That ought to keep you save. Hope this helps.
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Felix, That is so cool! A couple years ago we had bees walking into the house and dying and I was positive I had some sort of colony collapse going on in my vicinity. I actually emailed some poor beleaguered UF researcher asking if he needed me to send him samples that I was keeping in the fridge in tupperware. (yes, the boyfriend thought I was bananas, but luckily, he can open a tupperware and find a bug in it and know not to eat it. I've had to label fertilizer and seeds.) UF guy got back to me, which was nice, telling me no, he did not need me to send along the refridgerated carcasses, but he suggested I check my soffets because he figured a colony was nearby, and going through it's normal living and dying. We never did find the hive, and the next two years, we had plenty of bees. But I've always wanted more. It might have been your advice that has me planting cosmos around the tomatoes. Or maybe sylvia. Sadly, I'm prohibited from getting more pets until we get the current menagerie under control. But they're on my list of things to cram onto this little urban lot. Along with chickens. I really want chickens. Susannah
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FlowerLady6
14 years ago
WOW Felix! Great pictures, great story. I'll have to show that to DH. He's not afraid of bees or wasps either. Do you collect honey from your hives?

Sorry to hear Ginger knocked you over and hope you are doing fine today.

FlowerLady
annafl
14 years ago
Great pics, great story, and you are a great teacher, Felix. You are so lucky to have your son close by. I'm glad your bee colonies seem to be multiplying and getting stronger this year. I know you were worried for a while.

Anna
countrynest
Original Author
14 years ago
FlowerLady,yes,I harvest honey from my hives. It is very yummy. As a matter of fact. I need to harvest some very soon.
I check the bees a while ago and they are coming and going
busy as a bee doing what bees do. I'm just so glad to have another hive. Nature is grand,I'm always in awe at the wonders that I find. I'm glad also that you guys are enjoying my adventures,he he he.
Felix
countrynest
Original Author
14 years ago
Anna,you are absolutely correct,the bees are getting stronger this year.
FlowerLady,thank you for your concerns. My knee is swollen
and very sensitive. I'm having a really hard time walking.
Felix
manature
14 years ago
"She was very big. Big eyes,big shoulder and big butt.
That is how the queen is identified."

All I can say is, pass me my crown, please!!!

*grin* You KNEW I couldn't resist that, didn't you, Felix?

What amazing pictures and what a great story. All except the part about Ginger knocking you down! Please take good care of that swollen knee and don't overdo until it feels better. Will be thinking about you, mi amigo!

Marcia
atreelady
14 years ago
Those pictures are GREAT. Now I know what a bee swarm looks like. And the story along with them. It's almost like being there.

I hope your knee gets better fast. Arnica ointment is good for bruises as long as the skin is not broken... Boiron, a company that does homeopathics, makes it.
wanda662
14 years ago
Another swarm, your hives must be getting stronger. Do you add new boxes or do they go back into the old one?
Great pictures! Hope you get better real soon, I've been thrown off and kicked by my horses before. Not fun!
countrynest
Original Author
14 years ago
Marcia, I was not thinking of any one but the Queen bee
when I was describing her. It was hard to find her among
all those bees but Jeremy found her and we follow her movements until she was inside.
Judy,it was amazing! I have done this several times but is always fascinating and exciting.
Wanda,the hives are getting stronger. I have a bunch of boxes ready all the time. When I start getting low I buy
more kits and put them together.
Thank you all for your concern. Ginger was tied up on a very long leash. She circle me wrapping both of my legs.
Then I fell on some aging logs and started dragging me. I still do not know how I got out of that. I stood up
and Jeremy came over to lecture me. I know the angels
were involved in my rescue,no doubt about that. And that
my friends, is the other story.
Wanda,you're right,not fun. :-)
Felix
featherhoof
14 years ago
That is so COOL! You can keep them from swarming due to overcrowding by adding another super until you can split the hive or extract honey, right? I don't have a hive, but hope to have one or two in the future. Yeah, and those horses. . . mine can act stupid, too. I hope you have a good recovery. The pics were amazing!!!!!!! Those were the best swarm pics I have ever seen!
manature
14 years ago
Awww, Felix, I know you didn't mean ME. I just couldn't resist that description, is all. (If the crown fits......)

Marcia
coffeemom
14 years ago
I'm in awe everytime you post pictures of your bees. I'm so glad they are getting stronger. I'm also glad to know exactly what to do with them.
I don't have a horse but I have been known to trip over my cat. Feel better soon!
Kristi
countrynest
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi,featherhoof. Yes by adding another super(bee box),one can keep them from swarming. I usually make them two super high. Once I put three supers on top of each others,but I try not to.I'm glad you like the pictures. Thank you for
your good wishes on my recovery.
Marcia,OK,it's time for confession and apologies,mmmmmm,just kidding my friend. But remember you already are our coleus queen,your highness.
Felix
tomncath
14 years ago
Very neat Felix, you definitely have a way with nature...sorry about your accident, may you get well quickly my friend.

Tom
countrynest
Original Author
14 years ago
Kristi and Tom,thank you for your compliments and well wishes. Just before it got dark I went to check on my girls,the new hive was just going. many were coming and going while others were filling in crevices in the super,
sealing it all and making house. It is all so amazing.
I have a couple of chairs at the site so I can sit and watch.
Felix
manature
14 years ago
That's just too cool, Felix. Bees are truly miraculous creatures, aren't they? I'm so glad you are getting yours back again, after the decline. I hope that is a sign that bees all over are making a comeback from the colony collapse syndrome. I've really enjoyed this thread and seeing your pictures. Amazing! Hope your knee is better this morning.

Marcia
crystabel
14 years ago
That was so interesting! Thank you for posting those pictures and descriptions.
I hope your knee is feeling better.
countrynest
Original Author
14 years ago
Crystabel,thank you for your well wishes. The swelling has
gone down some. I'm glad to share my experience of the bees.
Felix

Bee swarm and capture 6-8-2009

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happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand

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