first swarm

shaux · May 30, 2009, 03:21:33 AM

Got a call from TheBix asking if I wanted to catch a swarm. Not being able to pass up free bees I of course said yes. Went over to the location and they were on a bush about waist high and about the size of a volleyball, probably slightly smaller. Put the cardboard box underneath the ball and TheBix gave them an initial shake into the box. They didn't quite enjoy that and I ended up getting stung right below the eye. The bees started balling back up on the bush so I assumed that we didn't get the queen so we cut the branches that they were left on and placed them inside the box. They started gathering in the box so we waited about 20-30 min to get as many bees as we could. Then closed it up and headed home. Will have to place them in a hive tomorrow morning because it would have been pitch black by the time I got home and could put them in a brood box. Other than looking like I got punched in the face it was a fun time and a good learning experience.

G3farms · May 30, 2009, 08:29:36 AM

Glad to hear you got your first swarm and hope all goes well with getting them in your brood box and set up in the morning.

Sorry to hear you got it in the face, I guess she was just saying hello.

G3

sc-bee · May 30, 2009, 09:12:28 AM

Yeah, you read in the beginner books and was taught in our class that bees don't sting during a swarm or swarm retrieval.

I remember my first a couple years back. Was headed out of down in dress clothes for an event. Got a swarm call, run got nuc, threw it in the car and headed that way.

I sprayed the cluster with sugar water, waited a few minutes, and shook the tree.

Immediately I smelled bananas. I knew I was in trouble :shock:!

shaux · May 30, 2009, 11:20:03 AM

She said hello and goodbye all in one shot. Never had a reaction to a sting like this before, but I've never been stung in the face. My eye is now swollen shut. Need to take some benedryl again and get it knocked down.

Bill W. · May 30, 2009, 11:40:11 AM

I've removed four swarms without protection and was stung three out of four times. I always wear at least a veil now.

The Bix · May 30, 2009, 01:00:08 PM

The swarm was easily accessible, and a lot of fun to capture. Plus, I didn't get stung!!! It was a good confidence builder.

NasalSponge · May 30, 2009, 01:08:40 PM

I have only been stung by two swarms....and one of them was yesterday :)

shaux · May 30, 2009, 03:16:05 PM

Update:
Installed the swarm into a hive this morning. They had already started building comb inside the cardboard box last night. I decided to try foundationless frames for this hive. Put Popsicle sticks for starter guides. Will that work? Waited around for awhile and they started balling up on the front of the hive so I figured I didn't get the queen inside. Put that ball inside and they all started going inside so I think she's in there. Gonna go check tomorrow and make sure they took to the hive and then an inspection in about a week. Hopefully this swarm takes and that will be 3 hives started all in about a month.

1reb · May 31, 2009, 12:33:23 AM

Congratulations shaux 0n catch your first swarm of the year

Johnny

shaux · May 31, 2009, 06:45:43 PM

Well I went over and looked at the newly installed swarm today. Everything looked good from the outside. Here is a picture