Hi all. I damaged my shoulder back before Christmas & had surgery Feb. 10. I was not able to get things ready for spring as i couldn't lift any thing until a few days ago. Day before yesterday I had two swarms, one was huge, I don't know how it was so big as i run one deep and one shallow. The other was about 3 Lb.,and was about 30 ft. up in a skinny elm. The big one was 6 Ft from the ground. I cut down the elm & put the small one in a ten frame hive without any frames. I ran out of time as i had to go to Therapy. when i got back the big swarm was still there. I started getting a hive ready, but they left before i got done. The big one always gets away. I put some frames in the small one & they stayed home.
Sorry to hear about your shoulder. We also seem to always "run out of time". I know some of the local beekeepers are starting to let some interested teens work with them - it's a good learning experience for them and cheap (free) labor for you. Maybe something to think about next year.
Thanks Davepeg. I will thank about the youth labor.