[Northwest PA Beekeeper]

Here it is May 29th, and I'm still waiting to get my first swarm call here in North-West Pennsylvania.

I've gotten one call to do a cutout, and that is it so far. I haven't even heard of any swarms in the area yet - although I do have a beekeeper's meeting this Sunday, so may hear about swarms there.

Currently I have 12 swarm traps placed. I seen several bees at several of them checking them out, so I'm hopeful I'll get a couple swarms that come right to me.

But it's depressing to see on the board here all these people having swarms or getting calls and here I am - waiting!!

 

[Birdman]

I wouldn't count on many this year, I've had two calls so far and one from my hive's.

 

[Mr.Beeman]

Had our first swarm call on Memorial Day. We are way down from previous years. My fear is that the feral bees have sustained a huge loss this past winter here in the "north".

 

[LSBees]

Here it is May 29th, and I'm still waiting to get my first swarm call here in North-West Pennsylvania.

I've gotten one call to do a cutout, and that is it so far. I haven't even heard of any swarms in the area yet - although I do have a beekeeper's meeting this Sunday, so may hear about swarms there.

Currently I have 12 swarm traps placed. I seen several bees at several of them checking them out, so I'm hopeful I'll get a couple swarms that come right to me.

But it's depressing to see on the board here all these people having swarms or getting calls and here I am - waiting!!

Get listed on the National Honeybee Swarm Removal directory to increase your calls http://www.honeybeeswarmremoval.com

 

[JonnyBeeGood]

Just got my first swarm call in Plainville, Ct. Fairly even with you so they're coming!!
Beach ball size swarm. Got them in a box with a donated frame of brood.

 

[shannonswyatt]

I got one call and had one fly into a dead out. The swarm was queenless, but I've given them brood to make one. I was hoping to get at least 4 this year. Oh well, maybe June will be better.

 

[tomkat]

One call so far, but swarm took off before we could get there. Several calls for cut outs.
According to the Ohio State University Extension Office, we are a month behind where we should be. Flowers blooming, fields being planted, so I figure we may start getting a few more calls.

 

[Northwest PA Beekeeper]

Mr. Beeman - regarding the feral colonies, I know of 5 different feral colonies - 3 in hollow trees, 1 in an old abandoned house, and 1 in the eves of a lived in house. All of them survived except for one in a hollow tree, but that is because the top of the tree came off in a storm during the winter. The other 4 feral colonies are doing just fine. (I do have swarm traps set up at each place.)

LSBees - Thank you. I have now registered.

 

[drlonzo]

Get listed on the National Honeybee Swarm Removal directory to increase your calls http://www.honeybeeswarmremoval.com

Thanks for the tip on the registry..

 

[Mr.Beeman]

Northwest... that is encouraging news. Thanks

 

[JonnyBeeGood]

As far as feral colonies are concerned, I recently collected one that should go in the 'books'!!
New Haven, Connecticut, within sight of the harbor was a very large colony attached to the outside of a steeple!!! They survived over this past winter outside!!! I still can't believe it. I am going to try and attach a link to some pics.
<div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http://feed1309.photobucket.com/albums/s632/JonnyBeeGood1/Mobile%20Uploads/Honey%20Bee%20Removal/feed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="javascript:void(0);" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s1309.photobucket.com/albums/s632/JonnyBeeGood1/Mobile%20Uploads/Honey%20Bee%20Removal" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" alt="JonnyBeeGood1'sHoney Bee Removal album on Photobucket" /></a></div>

 

[JonnyBeeGood]

This link may work- http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/JonnyBeeGood1/library/Mobile Uploads/Honey Bee Removal

 

[Northwest PA Beekeeper]

I put a swarm trap up in a deer stand on our property and have noticed bees are checking it out. I stopped by tonight, and there were probably 10 or so flying around, going in, coming out - so I'm hopeful a swarm will move in.

This swarm trap happens to be on an electric line right of way that goes through woods. I know there is a feral colony somewhere near there, because I know of at least two swarms that have flown from the woods and passed right near my house.

I figured with the bees checking out that swarm trap, I decided to put another one nearby in the hopes if the first one doesn't entice, this second one will.

 

[waynesgarden]

I'm not on a swarm registry yet but my bait hives in Northeast PA haven't seen any activity yet. I know there are bees in the area since they were all over equipment I was preparing before I brought bees to the farm back in April. This is my first season in PA so I don't know what's normal. (As if anything is normal with bees.)

The only nearby swarm I've heard about was at a hotel in Clarks Summit where the management killed them by spraying with pesticide.

Wayne

 

[Northwest PA Beekeeper]

The deer stand bait hive was very busy today. So busy in fact, I thought possibly a swarm had moved in.

I climbed up and lifted the box, nope no residents yet - just lots of bees flying around, flying in, flying out. I'm thinking within a few days they will move in.

Oddly enough, the other hive trap I put nearby doesn't have any activity.

 

[Riverderwent]

Get listed on the National Honeybee Swarm Removal directory to increase your calls http://www.honeybeeswarmremoval.com

Thank you, LSBees.

 

[waynesgarden]

Get listed on the National Honeybee Swarm Removal directory to increase your calls http://www.honeybeeswarmremoval.com

Beesource has a removal directory of its own. http://www.beeremovalsource.com/bee-removal-list/

Wayne

 

[Joe Bondra]

I am in northeast Ohio. Had two swarm calls last Saturday and could only get to one. Got them successfully. Hoping to get more soon. Good luck.

 

[Mr.Beeman]

What a difference a couple of days make. Four removal calls and two swarm calls so far.

 

[Northwest PA Beekeeper]

Well, it wasn't a swarm call I got but just happened to be driving down the road and saw "something" in a bush. After I passed it I thought to myself "Was that a swarm in a bush or something that just looked like it?" I backed up and yes, it was a smaller swarm - probably 1 1/2 - 2 pounds. I'm assuming it's a secondary swarm. But finally - June 5 - my first swarm of the year.
Summerville, PA 15864