I have seen a mating flight but not a swarm. Friday I got to see one happen. Unfortunately, I caused it.
I got a call and went to a home in Wellington with a swarm on a wax myrtle. Nice medium sized swarm. Now unlike JP I will admit I am running short on equipment. So I got a shoebox from the owner. Sprinkle some lemongrass oil in the box. The first string run put 90% of the bees in the box. The second one did about 9% more the remaining slowly flew into the box.
I screen the box and drove home. I went to put them in the nuc. As I emptied them into the nuc. They all flew out. There on the bottom of the nuc was the queen. I went to get her and she flew off. now I have a few thousand bees flying around in my yard. Just thousands of bees flying in the yard. Slowly they stafrted to gather. Everytime they did I looked for the queen. I saw land once near the swarm on a leaf. I went to get her and off she flew again.
They slowly started to gather on my porterweed. The queen landed near them. I got her into a mason jar. Put some workers in there with her. Let the jar near the swarm. And the bees ignored it. So I set up a medium box and put the jar in it with some lemongrass oil. Slowly the bees started to fly into it. Once most of the bees went in. I opened the jar and put the excluder on.
I check the box today. Bees seem to be doing well.
http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/thumbnails.php?album=141
I also received a call from the county health department. They monitor air quality at the airport. They have a huge hive at a monitor trailer at the airport. Palm Beach International Airport.
I will deal with that on Wednesday.
I also went to Don's(fatbeeman) course on Saturday. I had a great time. I encourage everyone to go. Watch for that post later. I have a neighbor meeting to attend.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
She flew off on you twice, hahahaahahaahaahah!!! Wait, what am I saying, this happened to me today, heehee. Glad you finally got the b....eautiful thing!!!
...JP ;)
Brendhan, you and JP having the same issues, I think it is something in the air, nice story by the way. Have the best of this great day, Cindi