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Gardening

randr

(12,504 posts)

4. I use a plastic trash can under the swarm

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #3)

Sun May 17, 2015, 12:59 PM

May 2015

First we smoke them and then, if possible, I just give the branch a hard shake and they fall enmass. Once the queen has fallen into container with the swarm the rest will settle down and join her.
Pop on the lid and head home to a hive we keep ready for new swarms.
I love to do this without a suit as it gives the bees a sense of who I am during further work.
We have gathered at least 6 swarms over the last few years this way. I just love working with them and love the honey even more.

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I'm anxious to see what happened to Friday's bee swarm [View all] GreatGazoo May 2015 OP

My dad was a beekeeper and we used to capture swarms Major Nikon May 2015 #1

our farm owner has develop an allergy so is being more careful GreatGazoo May 2015 #2

We would put a cardboard box underneath Major Nikon May 2015 #3

I use a plastic trash can under the swarm randr May 2015 #4

I'm not sure if you can still do this, but my dad used to order queens by mail Major Nikon May 2015 #5

Sure can, lots of sources on line randr May 2015 #6