Swarm Captured - Sprayed!

[montauk170]

Got a swarm call this morning with bees hanging around the bottom of the porch, trying to get into a hole. I was told over the phone that half of the bees are dead and I asked if it was sprayed although I already knew the answer.

More details and pics on my blog: http://losaltoshoneybees.wordpress.com/

[Kathyp]

that's a shame.  why did they spray them and then call you?

[montauk170]

Most people spray first, then call after the bees are still there. I'm sure a lot of us get that.
The last few removals I did they were all sprayed! The public needs more educating.

[Scadsobees]

Yeah, had a lady call last week about "bees" in their wall and was hoping that I could come get the "queen" since she was so valuable.  She even told me that her husband had sprayed them the week before but they were still there, and her husband was out at the hardware store to buy something to kill them better.

<Sigh> I resisted the urge to ask her if I offered her food that I'd sprayed with wasp spray if she'd eat it because it was valuable.  Instead, I patiently explained that they were yellowjackets (I'm positive they really were).

I guess most people don't stop to think.  Leap first, call the beekeeper second.

-r

[greenbtree]

Every time I get a swarm or removal call I always ask if they have been sprayed first.  I always use my cheerful, upbeat voice "Did you spray them, and it didn't work?"  When they say yes, I explain that it just takes awhile for the bees to die and that next time they should call a beekeeper first. Of course what I want to say is "You morons! What were you thinking!"  A sprayed swarm or colony would have to be right next door for me to bother with it.  If it is a hive in a wall I tell them to wait a couple of weeks (not spraying them more) and if they still are there I will take a look.

I swear, that if you ask the "Did you spray them?" question in the least bit of a negative fashion, them lying about it seems to be almost of a knee-jerk response.  Also, I am always surprised that people will twig to the fact that a hive is in their wall and suddenly it has to be gone RIGHT NOW!  They will say stuff like "My neighbor said they have been going in and out of that shed for two years." but now it is a problem even though the bees are not bothering them.  Like the bees are going "Our cover's blown!  We better get them while we have the chance!" :-D

JC

[montauk170]

I did collect the bees and caught the queen. We shall see if they survive after a week or two before I combine.