MY FIRST SWARM OF THE SEASON

[BMAC]

Well I have no pictures of my first swarm of the season.  It was rather unexpected.  I went over to check on my bees and put second hive bodies on the ones that need it and what do I hae but a nice basketball size swarm 20 feet up in a tree.

So I cant reach the branch real well as its in the top of the dang tree.  I had my wife bring up 1 tarp and bottom board with lid.  I also had her grab 1 swarm scent vial.  I opened the vial and dropped it in the empty box.  Then I spread the tarp out below the swarm and placed the box under the swarm on top of the tarp.  Afterwards I climbed the tree on an adjacent branch as I didnt want to disturb the swarm.  After I was about 4 feet below the swarm I held tight to the branch I am on and gave a nice hard kick to the branch the swarm was on.  Many dropped in the box and most dropped right in front of the swarm.  By the time I climbed down the tree all the bees in front of the hive were climbing into it.

Woohoo......  Most of the bees were in the hive when I left 1/2 hour ago.....

[annette]

That sounded so cool. Good for you.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Hooray,

Swarms!  Fun fun fun...20 feet up??  LOL..good for you!

[BMAC]

Yep.  It was no problem climbing up the tree close to the swarm.  The branch they were on was flexible enough I knew a good kick is all it would take.

No prob yet for climbing the trees.  Maybe in a few years I will think twice about it and send my boy up the tree.  Not yet though.