Col Collyer here, from Glen Waverley in Melbourne.
We had bee's 20 years ago, and last year a swarm came and made home in our garden, so we went and bought all the stuff again, and had a good year, Ideals about 7 high, broke them back to 5 over winter, then on to this season....
Expecting a swarm, I built a top bar hive, but before it was finished..... Thursday about 5... lots off bee's in back yard, bugga... followed them, and informed neighbor that I would come Friday lunch time and get them.... got there, and they had absconded.... get home and the missus says... " good timing, just in time to see your bee's swarming! Great spectacle watching them poor out of the hive. Follow this lot and get them settled in another hive, some frames, some frameless, and a honey frame. They settled well, and were gradually getting moved when... another swarm on the gutter..... made up another box from a kit, but had no top or bottom. so...... put newspaper on top of the hive on the move, added the box, some frameless bars, and a honey and put the lid back on. They are now working their way down the side of the house, and will get transferred into the TBH when they reach the back yard
I'm guessing I'm not the only one with bee's in Glen Waverley !
p/s... pissa of a site