We had animal control out yesterday over some suspected cow killing dogs (I made the call, they almost matched the description but they weren't the dogs) anyhow, the animal control saw the beehives and my wife mentioned I may get into swarm capturing, I'm inexperienced I know but I never learn until I get my hands dirty. The dog cop said he had a call from someone about a swarm, told him they don't do bees but kept the number anyway. gave me the number.
I called the guy and he knew where the bees came from and the keeper (next door to him) refused to come get them. (the last swarm built in his air conditioner and the keeper got stuck with the repair bill.)
long story short - the swarm moved on before I got the number.
I just posted because I find it strange that a beekeeper would refuse to get a swarm he knows -or could believe- is his.
and I'm thinking of getting friendlies with the sherrif's office and fire dept. about swarms.
commercial beekeepers don't chase swarms. i have a friend who has a berry farm. the bees she has in for pollination swarm all the time. she calls me. he's not interested.
thanks for the explanation; I'll be posting a pic of my swarm-ready topbar hive in another topic shortly.
sounds like you just got into the swarm catching business.
good luck with it.
G3