BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER > HONEYBEE REMOVAL

How not to do a swarm removal.

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BeeMaster2:
Here is what you don?t want to do to remove a swarm from a small tree branch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPtNFVFFuQE#noexternalembed-ws

The way to do this the easy way is to cut the branch off of the tree and shake it over the box. Bee sure to take just enough of the branch to bee able to hold onto it. Once you remove the bees from the branch, put the branch a good ways away from the swarm to keep them from going back to it. It is covered in pheromones that draw the bees back to it.
Jim Altmiller

Ben Framed:

--- Quote ---The way to do this the easy way is to cut the branch off of the tree and shake it over the box. Bee sure to take just enough of the branch to bee able to hold onto it. Once you remove the bees from the branch, put the branch a good ways away from the swarm to keep them from going back to it. It is covered in pheromones that draw the bees back to it.
Jim Altmille
--- End quote ---

Yes I agree Jim, to cut the branch would have been one way and much easier in this situation. Even still after trying 'most' every thing including the sheet method as in JPs' video you posted earlier, I have learned of a much more efficient method (in my opinion). 

A bee vac of the proper design would have been hard to beat! Actually since I have been using my home built bee vac to retrieve swarms, I can't remember the last time I cut a branch or limb! I retrieve 99.98 % of the bees and have never lost a queen when retrieving a swarm with my bee-vac!

I highly recommend the bee vac method; but if and only if, a bee-vac of proper design is used, proven to be 'bee friendly'. I have read and heard of some types of bee vacs which are not optimum for producing desired results (loss of bees)... A bee vac design which will give optimum results is a must for a happy ending when using the bee-vac method!

Phillip

Bill Murray:
Ha, Ha, Ive only messed with 3 swarms ever. But that is exactly how I did all 3.

JurassicApiary:
Oh, my...   :shocked:

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