Meg's Beemergency

June 22, 2008, about 11:45. Happened to walk outside behind the barn for something and heard this very LOUD buzzing noise. Walked over to look towards the hive and saw a swirling tornado of bees circling about 20’ above the hive. Ran for the phone to call Dave: “I think I have a swarm happening! What do I do?” He was so excited for me… Told me to keep my eyes on the bees to see where they settled, at which time I’d have anywhere from an hour or so to maybe a couple of days before they took off. “Get a hive box w/foundations under wherever they settled, then shake the branch and make them drop into the box. They’ll either stay in the hive or not.” OK – I’ve got a box, but no frames put together. Told the kids, “We have a BEE-MERGENCY!” They expertly (for 6-year-olds) glued the sides & helped me assemble the frames. I hammered like crazy to get everything put together. All I had frames for was a super, so that’s what the swarm got. Ran back out to this tree to get ready, realized the branch was a little too high to reach. Ran back into the house for a stool. Ran back a couple minutes later to find…

Swarms!

Mike Hanley had a swarm leave his hive today (Thursday June 19). You can see them in the photo, spread around in the apple bush. Mike - tell us how the hiving went, OK? Jenny Molesworth had a swarm a day or two ago, too. Did they go back in their box, Jen?

Busy bees

My bees have visited the white Dutch clover during this warmer weather. I put supers on 9 of my 12 hives this evening, June 17. Better check yours! Add another box if they look populous when you pop off the lid. They might swarm if they get honey bound.

Swarm season

I (Dave) drove to Twin Lakes after a phone call about a swarm. The swarm looked about the size of a honeydew melon. They clustered on the end of a branch about 20' off the ground. I went up an extension ladder, intending to cut the branch and let the swarm drop to the ground. I had my doubts about the bees staying where I could hive them on the ground and felt uncomfortable up that high. Plus, the swarm didn't have enough bees to do well this late in the season. So I gave up.
Dwight Filer caught a swarm. Anyone else?

Class?

Is there any interest in a summer class in the next month or so?  I'm thinking of an indoor class.  Possible subjects are: wintering, foul brood, queen rearing, pulling honey, etc.  If you are interested, post a comment with areas of interest.