Swarm Capture

Out on a limb



12 ' extension ladder set

Vacuum set up with catch box on truck roof

Hose has been strapped to the ladder for support. time to turn ON

Swarm time in the Farmville, VA area

Late afternoon; the attempt here was to shake the bees into a metal funnel attached to 3" #20 drain lines. the swarm was housed in a nuc where it did not stick. Should have tried a 10 frame hive box.

Swarm; early evening

Yes, that is the moon watching

We used the vacuum system to gather this swarm all from a climb to a lower limb

July Swarm with David R.

This swarm was 20 feet off the ground. We used the bucket of a front end loader on a farm tractor to go up and cut the limb, and lower the cluster into a double deep hive body that was also in the bucket.

A Swarm Before The Storm

Thanks to the tractor operator for lifting the vacuum & catch box

Large swarm ball, Charlotte Court House, VA June 29,2013

A monster of a ball of honey bees



We think that this colony came from a storm downed tree

Too large for the funnel. I used the vacuum system

I had to use 3 - deep supers to house this colony. Once settled I will split and add to developing nucs.

Honey bee swarm box

This is the second swarm captured on this old metal saw frame.

Yard Swarm

During an inspection by a VA Ag Inspector, we found a hive with many queen cells. After a lengthily search we could not find the queen. I sat a baited box on an old radial arm saw stand about 50 feet out in front of the hive that was expected to swarm. They found the way one week later on April 16th.

Swarm Season 2013

Today, I have boxed my first swarm of this new season. I was surprised as the weather has really been cold at nights. It was 18 degrees here yesterday morning. I still have the 2 sided wraps on my boxes.