Swarms
Swarms - for non-beekeepers |
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If a swarm is sitting on your apple tree or eaves please contact the secretary as quickly as possible. They are easy to catch and take away while there but will only stay there a short time and possibly move into your roof with the expense that can cause.
If bees have moved into your roof or shed or somewhere around your property and you want them removed, please contact the secretary who will pass on the information to someone who can help. However, please be certain that they are honey bees since we often get calls from people who have a wasps' nest or, this year especially, red mason bees which are completely harmless and will die off by the end of June. You may have a bumble bee nest in your garden or even solitary mining bees: see this. Bumble bees and solitary bees, including mining and mason bees, are pretty much harmless: they do have a sting but it either is so weak humans can't even feel it or it requires extreme provocation for them to sting.
If bees have moved into your roof or shed or somewhere around your property and you want them removed, please contact the secretary who will pass on the information to someone who can help. However, please be certain that they are honey bees since we often get calls from people who have a wasps' nest or, this year especially, red mason bees which are completely harmless and will die off by the end of June. You may have a bumble bee nest in your garden or even solitary mining bees: see this. Bumble bees and solitary bees, including mining and mason bees, are pretty much harmless: they do have a sting but it either is so weak humans can't even feel it or it requires extreme provocation for them to sting.
Swarms - for beekeepers
With good weather in Spring, we're likely to see early swarming. To help manage this, you are urged to mark and clip your queen - this won't prevent swarming but will give you extra time to respond. If you do see queen cells in your hive, be prepared to act: Dave Cushman's website has a lot of information on the subject, and you should definitely be familiar with the Pagden method of swarm control.
You may also be interested in catching swarms from the hives of those less well prepared beekeepers. Tom Seeley's paper on swarm traps is available from Cornell University and provides excellent information on the subject. Note: a brood box is around 40 litres so it's just the right size!
And a word of warning: catching a swarm is not worth risking injury or death. If a swarm is high up a tree, take extreme care and make sure any ladder is secure. Better still, just let it get away rather than taking a risk.
You may also be interested in catching swarms from the hives of those less well prepared beekeepers. Tom Seeley's paper on swarm traps is available from Cornell University and provides excellent information on the subject. Note: a brood box is around 40 litres so it's just the right size!
And a word of warning: catching a swarm is not worth risking injury or death. If a swarm is high up a tree, take extreme care and make sure any ladder is secure. Better still, just let it get away rather than taking a risk.