Swarm

[Dee]

Today I was driving down the road, about 2-3 miles from my house, when all of a sudden my windshield was pelleted with something. I'm like WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT! Within seconds I realize that it was a swarm of honeybees!!! I was able to see where they were going but wasnt sure if they would be there later or not (I couldnt go after them right then). Hours later I went and found them right where I last spotted them. I talked to the lady of the closest house and she said that they actually swarmed yesterday just yards away from the original hive in her house. I cut the branches and shook them off in a nuc which had drawn out comb. I took my daughter to take pics but she's not too fond of bees - when she was younger she was attacked by yellow jackets.

I went back around 8:30pm to bring them home but must be the 5 frame deep nuc is too small for them all!! They are still hanging all over the front and sides. They must feel "at home" because they are acting aggressive now - got me in the knee. Tomorrow I'll have to take bigger box along with my suit - bad thing is that I have to climb an embankment to get them out.

This is my very first swarm that i've seen airborne!! I have a pic of me when I was around 8 or 9 yrs old standing next to a swarm that had landed on a tree limb. And now 27-28 yrs later I have another pic of me beside a swarm.

Photobucket slideshow
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/Dee_0216/Honey%20Bees/May%2007%20Honeybee%20Swarm/th_MomDeannaBees1979or1980.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/Dee_0216/Honey%20Bees/May%2007%20Honeybee%20Swarm/?action=view&current=1180498655.pbw)

I tried to only put in a hyperlink but I can't figure it out?!

[AstroBee]

Nice story and some cool pics. Thanks for posting.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

Try spraying some sugar syrup with a little HBH or lemongrass on the frames. They will go inside readily to lick it up.

[Chef Isaac]

I would of shook that swarm in a deep as it looked sooo big

[Hobie]

Last year we were at the marina and had the marine radio on. The Coast Guard came on, and said (it sounded like) that someone reported a swarm of geese on the bay. We were just commenting that it was odd to call a flock of geese a "swarm" when suddenly the swarm of BEES came off the bay and filled the picnic area on their way through. Don't know where they stopped, but they were headed for the woods in the state park.

[xC0000005]

Dee - what a great set of shots. I found the original picture funny, looking at your eyes fixed on the swarm. Same look my daughter gave a bee vac full of bees a few weeks ago.

[Dee]

thanks for the comments

The first time I went down the hill to look for them I didnt think it looked like such a large swarm. This being my first actual swarm collection (other than removals in houses) I couldnt judge how many bees there were I guess??

I'm almost done changing over to all mediums except for those 5 frames that i used - i do have some empty deep frames and a few deep boxes that i havent cut down yet. So the deep nuc was suppose to be a temporary transporter only. Maybe next time I'll just try a cardboard box??? I have HBH and didnt even think to use it - I'm hoping that they didnt fly off this morning due to lack of room!!!

It was SO exciting!!