Swarmy Thingys In My Backyard!

JP · June 02, 2008, 11:11:46 PM

This morning around 10:30 I went to give my bees in the backyard a drink of water and heard a loud humming. I looked up and the sky was full of bees, but they weren't leaving, they were coming in to a double deep set up that had had bees in it about 3 weeks ago.

I checked my hives and all was well, but here were these bees coming in and it looked like a pretty good sized swarm.

They came from somewhere in the area. Pretty neat.

Oh and I believe one of my other hives back there, probably the ones with an attitude got worked up and I took about 7 stings before I threw the veil back on.

Anyway, these and all the other ones back there unfortunately will be leaving soon to go to my main beeyard. One of my neighbors don't like 'em in their pond, it is pretty bad though, I don't blame 'em.

Oh well, keeping 'em in the city, iffy situation.

pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/June22008

...JP

Brian D. Bray · June 03, 2008, 12:06:48 AM

Quote from: JP on June 02, 2008, 11:11:46 PM
This morning around 10:30 I went to give my bees in the backyard a drink of water and heard a loud humming. I looked up and the sky was full of bees, but they weren't leaving, they were coming in to a double deep set up that had had bees in it about 3 weeks ago.

I checked my hives and all was well, but here were these bees coming in and it looked like a pretty good sized swarm.

They came from somewhere in the area. Pretty neat.

Oh and I believe one of my other hives back there, probably the ones with an attitude got worked up and I took about 7 stings before I threw the veil back on.

Anyway, these and all the other ones back there unfortunately will be leaving soon to go to my main beeyard. One of my neighbors don't like 'em in their pond, it is pretty bad though, I don't blame 'em.

Oh well, keeping 'em in the city, iffy situation.

pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/June22008

...JP

And people think I'm crazy keeping a bait hive in my bee yard. JP just gave proof why it's not such a bad idea.

DaveKow · June 03, 2008, 12:51:10 AM

JP, nice pick up! You gotta love it when they come to you. They must know gas is up and wanted to save you a trip, so they just flew in.

What do you put in the bottom of your feeder to keep from drowning?

Dave

JP · June 03, 2008, 06:26:14 AM

Quote from: DaveKow on June 03, 2008, 12:51:10 AM
JP, nice pick up! You gotta love it when they come to you. They must know gas is up and wanted to save you a trip, so they just flew in.

What do you put in the bottom of your feeder to keep from drowning?

Dave

I put some rocks in so they can land on them and drink without drowning.

...JP

Cindi · June 03, 2008, 10:49:46 AM

JP, wow, talk about the law of attraction, hee, hee. So nice that the swarm came to your place, they must know a good thing when they see it, did they read the title of your avitar, our Swarm King of the forum, hee, hee. Beautiful, most wonderful day, oh yes, our wonderful lives we live and share. Cindi

wildbeekeeper · June 03, 2008, 10:55:01 AM

Dave, I was wondering the same thing about his feeder... I saved a few from my fedder yesterday, so will have to add some rocks today if the storms dont blow me away this afternoon :)

JP · June 03, 2008, 11:07:05 AM

Quote from: Cindi on June 03, 2008, 10:49:46 AM
JP, wow, talk about the law of attraction, hee, hee. So nice that the swarm came to your place, they must know a good thing when they see it, did they read the title of your avitar, our Swarm King of the forum, hee, hee. Beautiful, most wonderful day, oh yes, our wonderful lives we live and share. Cindi

Cindi, my other Cindy said they were looking through the window when I was online yesterday and they must have seen the title and decided they didn't wanna be shaken off of some limb and do the flap in the box thing! :-D

...JP

poka-bee · June 03, 2008, 02:15:54 PM

Way to go JP!! I have never even seen a swarm here... :(. I have one of the chix waterers also & put rolled paper towels in so the bees don't drown. That way when they get gross I just toss em in the compost pile. Also when new syrup is put in I don't have to pick the rocks back up! ;) I put the feeder on my deck so I can watch em :-D Jody

Rachel · June 03, 2008, 09:03:26 PM

Now that is cool! The pictures are great b/c you can see them all in mid air!

marliah · June 04, 2008, 10:16:13 AM

wow that is so cool that they came to you! I have been thinking about setting up an extra hive, so I have one ready in case I come across a swarm or get a call for one (since I asked to be put on the local call list). After reading this story I think I';ll have it setup and ready in my bee area rather than sitting in my garage ;) thatys just so neat!

JP · June 04, 2008, 10:30:42 AM

Quote from: marliah on June 04, 2008, 10:16:13 AM
wow that is so cool that they came to you! I have been thinking about setting up an extra hive, so I have one ready in case I come across a swarm or get a call for one (since I asked to be put on the local call list). After reading this story I think I';ll have it setup and ready in my bee area rather than sitting in my garage ;) thatys just so neat!

Yeah Marliah, you never know when you might have company! Brian Bray also keeps swarm hives handy in case company drops in on him as well. Hey is your hair still pink, or is that violet in your avatar?

...JP