Idaho Honey Bee

SO YOU GATHERED A SWARM. YOU GOT THERE AND THIS TIME IT REALLY WAS HONEY BEES, AND REACHABLE WITHOUT TAKING YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HANDS ON A LADDER. THEY WERE CLUSTERED ON THE END OF A SMALL LIMB, AND THE HOME OWNER SAID, “SURE” WHEN YOU ASKED IF YOU COULD CLIP THE LIMB OFF, SO YOU DID, WALKING IT, BEES LIMB AND ALL TO THE BROOD BOX YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU, AND LAID IT ON THE TOP OF THE FRAMES. WHEN YOU DO THAT, MANY BEES IMMEDIATELY START GOING DOWN INTO THE DARKNES BELOW WHILE THE BEES ON THE SURFACE BEGIN FANNING, INDICATING THAT THE QUEEN IS WITHIN THE BOX.

IF THERE ARE A LOT OF STRAYS STILL FLYING AROUND 20 MINUTES LATER, LEAVE THE BOX WITH LID AJAR, AND RETURN IN THE EVENING TO TAKE IT HOME. UPON ARRIVAL TO THE PERMANENT LOCATION, PUT ON A FEEDER OF SYRUP, AND GIVE THEM A FEW DAYS TO DRAW COMB BEFORE LOOKING AT THE FRAMES FOR EGGS.

BEFORE BEES SWARM, THEY ENGORGE ON HONEY, WHICH MAKES IT EASY FOR THEM TO PRODUCE WAX, AND DRAW OUT COMB. SUGAR SYRUP (50:50 SUGAR AND WATER), HELPS THEM ALSO. THE QUEEN IN A SWARM IS MOST OFTEN, A TWO YEAR OLD QUEEN, SO AFTER DETERMINING THE QUEEN IS THERE AND LAYING,  IT WOULD BE GOOD TO CHECK AGAIN IN A FEW WEEKS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE QUEEN IS LAYING A SOLID BROOD PATTERN. IF IT IS NOT SOLID, BUT RATHER IF THE CAPPED BROOD LOOKS LIKE IT WAS SHOT WITH A SHOTGUN, REPLACE HER. QUEENS ARE EASILY PURCHASED MOST OF THE SPRING AND SUMMER VIA THE USE OF A CREDIT CARD AND A TELEPHONE. ASK AROUND AS TO WHO HAS BEEN SUPPLYING QUEENS FOR YEARS. THE LONG TIME SUPPLIER IS STILL THERE FOR A REASON. 

IT PAYS TO BE AGGESSIVE IN REPLACING FAILING QUEENS, AS THEY PLAY A ROLL NOT ONLY IN HONEY PRODUCTION, BUT ALSO DISEASE CONTROL, AND MITE LEVELS. QUALITY QUEENS PAY FOR THEMSELVES WITH SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE.

SWARMS ARE FUN…THE TERRIFIED PEOPLE, THE MENTION OF SMALL CHILDREN, THE FEARFUL PERSON WHO THINKS BECAUSE THEY HAD SWELLING WHEN THEY WERE STUNG AS A KID, THAT THEY ARE “DEATHLY ALERGIC”, THE MENTION OF “KILLER BEES” MAKES FOR THE OPPORTINITY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT  WONDERFUL CREATURE BEES ARE.

GO FORTH AND ENJOY.