[Phoebee]

Collecting a swarm this morning, we soaked one little tree pretty thoroughly with syrup laced with lemon grass oil. We speculated on the possibility we were turning the tree into a swarm lure.

We don't know where these bees came from but there's a good chance we know their former owners. Considering we filled a nuc box and had to leave some behind, somebody lost one huge number of bees, due to failing to prevent swarming.

 

[D Semple]

My 2nd year I flunked swarm management and caught about a dozen swarms from my own hives all in the same cedar tree. Most were on the same branch. Made checking for swarms very easy that year.

Learned when you find a feral colony you can put some lemon grass oil in a reachable visible spot north east of the colony about 10 - 25 yards away. Most swarm when there is a southwest wind and seem to drift downwind of the parent colony to stage.

Makes it easy for the homeowners to spot and give you a call.

Don