Caught my first swarm

[dgc1961]

I caught my first swarm today.  I am suspecting that it came from my hive.  I didn't get to see it swarm, I was sitting on the back porch and happen to notice something in the tree that wasn't there before.  Turned out to be a big swarm.  About the size of a basket ball, if it was round.

It was about 15 feet up in a tree.  I was able to tape a bucket to the end of a long pine sappling, reached up there and knocked them into the bucket.

It took three times to get the bees.  I would get some them dump them into a hive, wait several minutes while the bees that were flying high landed in the same spot then, knocked them into the bucket again. 

I will post some pics tomorrow.

[hankdog1]

Nice!!! Congradulations!!! Looking forward to seeing the pics.

[tlynn]

Great thinking out of the box (and into the bucket)!

[annette]

Good for you. I am still waiting for my first time!!!!! 

[SlickMick]

Good for you. I am still waiting for my first time!!!!! 

Oh Annette, your turn will come... just remember that good things come to those who are patient  ;) although sometimes that will drive you nuts

Mick

[dgc1961]

Here is a link to the photos of the swarm.  The one picture that you see me standing there, you will see the tree I taped the bucket too, with the duct tape (Southern Chrome).

The swarm was about 16-18" long.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37303078@N03/

[Two Bees]

The ole bucket trick is what I have used before.  However, if the branch is low enough, I have also just cut the branch and put the whole thing into the hive (after trimming a bit!)

[Cindi]

David, nice, that was surely a pretty large swarm, wish I had more chances to get some, rarely see them around here.  Beautiful day in our great life, health.  Cindi

[1reb]

Congradulations!!! dgc1961 ,

Johnny

[JP]

Great job getting them down, and very nice swarm!


...JP

[vermmy35]

Gratz on that nice swarm