Catching Swarms and Adding Honey Supers

A swarm of honey bees gathered high, clinging to a narrow birch branch. The weather was suitable for outside demonstrations. Paul Szott was going to open the club hive and get it prepared for the honey flow. Ken Record was to demonstrate techniques of catching a swarm, but the swarm that rested 24 feet over head was not placed there by Ken. The club honeybees had decided to stage their own demonstration.

After inspecting the club hive it was determined that it’s occupants had swarmed, almost straight up, to a spot of precarious invitation. Who would take on the task of retrieving Saturdays gift? That question would be answered later.

Kenny’s swarm had been placed on a more conservative branch of a cherry tree.

It was a large swarm, at least it looked large as he clipped the branch and carried it over to an awaiting hive body. If a swarm is easily within reach, this is a good technique. Swarms, as we know, are docile, carrying honey and less likely to sting. Careful handling and patience are the tools required. Most do not even require smoke. Holding the bee filled branch over the hive body and giving it a quick bounce will leave the bees where you want them. Another method of grabbing the bees from a high location is to use a 5 gallon bucket attached to an extension pole. This takes a bit more finesse and strength as the bucket must be lowered without dumping the bees.

Ken showed off a very cool way to gather the captured swarm. I have to think this is Ken’s favorite as it has the bees doing all the work themselves and it is a captivating display.  The captured swarm is disrespectfully dumped in front of the hive body in what can be described as a confused and terrible mess, leaving onlookers asking, “now what?”

Ken reveals a small cage, bends down and releases the queen just in front of the hive body opening. Nature is truly amazing. How can they know of her presence so quickly. Each broken piece of the muddled mass turn as if called to attention. The queen climbs over and enters the hive body and all others follow in a steady stream. A pattern of organized lines are created as the bees walk with determination following their queen.

Paul has the club hive open and ready for summer, but honey may take a bit longer now that some of it’s previous occupants have left. He turns through the frames with the ease as one turning through a newspaper. Paul believes that if the swarm above were to be captured  and placed back into the same hive body, it is likely to swarm again. Ken thinks it could be done to re-strengthen the hive. There is also the question of queens status (virgin or otherwise) and if this is the only swarm that has left this hive. There is quite a bit to speculate here, including, who wants this swarm just enough to climb up that narrow birch branch.

Brent Roberts, our newest club member,  had already left in his car. He was headed out to pick up hive body to hold the swarm. By the time he had returned, some of the club had discussed the potential scenarios as to what may happen to this narrow birch when human weight is applied and the potential for a “YouTube moment.” With a few shimmy’s he was up high enough to start the bough in it’s ever so careful bend to earth. Just missing the Club hive, the swarm was on the ground. Brent stayed put, riding the  birch bareback. Others helped knock what was on the limb into the box. Many bees flew high above and some re-gathered on the branch, the queens scent still luring them to it. She was in the hive body, however, and more would soon join her there. One new hive for you Brent, nice work!

Someone really should have told him we were just kidding about the honey bee club tree climb initiation.

Thanks to Club President Kevin Farr for supplying the great photos.