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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: dgc1961 on April 11, 2009, 09:33:25 PM

Title: Caught my first swarm
Post by: dgc1961 on April 11, 2009, 09:33:25 PM
I caught my first swarm today.  I am suspecting that it came from my hive.  I didn't get to see it swarm, I was sitting on the back porch and happen to notice something in the tree that wasn't there before.  Turned out to be a big swarm.  About the size of a basket ball, if it was round.

It was about 15 feet up in a tree.  I was able to tape a bucket to the end of a long pine sappling, reached up there and knocked them into the bucket.

It took three times to get the bees.  I would get some them dump them into a hive, wait several minutes while the bees that were flying high landed in the same spot then, knocked them into the bucket again. 

I will post some pics tomorrow.
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: hankdog1 on April 11, 2009, 11:11:46 PM
Nice!!! Congradulations!!! Looking forward to seeing the pics.
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: tlynn on April 11, 2009, 11:38:27 PM
Great thinking out of the box (and into the bucket)!
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: annette on April 11, 2009, 11:47:26 PM
Good for you. I am still waiting for my first time!!!!! 
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: SlickMick on April 12, 2009, 05:09:24 AM
Quote from: annette on April 11, 2009, 11:47:26 PM
Good for you. I am still waiting for my first time!!!!! 

Oh Annette, your turn will come... just remember that good things come to those who are patient  ;) although sometimes that will drive you nuts

Mick
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: dgc1961 on April 12, 2009, 09:28:46 AM
Here is a link to the photos of the swarm.  The one picture that you see me standing there, you will see the tree I taped the bucket too, with the duct tape (Southern Chrome).

The swarm was about 16-18" long.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37303078@N03/
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: Two Bees on April 12, 2009, 08:40:00 PM
The ole bucket trick is what I have used before.  However, if the branch is low enough, I have also just cut the branch and put the whole thing into the hive (after trimming a bit!)
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: Cindi on April 13, 2009, 11:41:48 PM
David, nice, that was surely a pretty large swarm, wish I had more chances to get some, rarely see them around here.  Beautiful day in our great life, health.  Cindi
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: 1reb on April 14, 2009, 12:13:33 AM
Congradulations!!! dgc1961 ,

Johnny
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: JP on April 14, 2009, 12:23:06 AM
Great job getting them down, and very nice swarm!


...JP
Title: Re: Caught my first swarm
Post by: vermmy35 on April 14, 2009, 12:31:10 AM
Gratz on that nice swarm