Swarm Retrieval Guidelines By Jerry Zimmerman Spring 2020
Swarm Retrieval Guidelines By Jerry Zimmerman Spring 2020
What We Will Cover 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Swarming as a Natural Process Pros and Cons of Capturing Swarms Luring Swarms - Proactive Strategy Finding Swarms – Swarm Call Lists Swarm Retrieval Techniques After Swarm Retrieval
Swarming is Normal Bee Behavior Colonies are Super-Organisms • Each colony a complex living being • Reproduction is characteristic of Life Reproduction at Two Levels • Queens produce new bees • Swarming produces new colonies Expect Swarms to Occur • Evolutionary Adaptation
What Do You Do With a Swarm? Keep as a Nucleus Colony Start a New Langstroth Hive Start a Top-Bar Hive Requeen a Queenless Colony Strengthen a Weak Colony
Do You Want More Bees? Worth your time and expense? Can you retrieve it safely? If Yes - Be Prepared • Swarm Retrieval Equipment • Permanent Hives and Supers • Plan for a permanent Location
Pros and Cons Some Pros • • FREE BEES Survivor Genetics Personal Satisfaction Great Stories Some Cons • Safety Concerns • Unpredictable • Possible Pathogens and Parasites
Your Swarm vs. Feral Swarm Your Swarms are a Known Quantity Feral Swarms Present Unknowns • What is the Swarm’s pedigree? • Is Swarm Healthy? Pros Outweigh the Cons – For Me
Swarm Traps Work Location • Bees Scout New Locations Before Swarming • Give Them Options • Near Existing Aperies • Other Locations • 5’ to 10’ off the ground • Morning Sun; Afternoon Shade
Locating Swarm Traps Weather Proof Containers – Commercial Swarm Traps – Wooden Nuc Box – Other Equipped With – Old Brood Comb – Old Capped Honey? – Swarm Lure (Commercial)
Back on Track Swarm Retrieval Strategies 1. 2. 3. 4. Finding Swarms What You Will Need Actual Retrieval Strategies Locating your swarm
Getting the Word Out • • • State and Local Beekeeper Sites Internet Swarm Call Lists County Extension Offices Police and Fire Departments Think Creatively
Answering a Swarm Call - ASK • • Name, Phone, Address (with Zip Code) Swarm Location: High-Low, Branches, Building How big is swarm? (football, soccer ball, basketball) How long has it been there? Go Immediately! - Important Does caller have a step ladder (if needed) Fees? – (No Charge. Donation appreciated for my time) Give an ETA (Have they called anyone else? )
What to Have Ready Bare Essentials • Suitable Container – Duct Tape – Bungee Cords • Pruning Shears • Bee Brush • Head Veil – Suit & Gloves ? ? • Keep IN Car – Ready to GO Helpful Extras • • Tarp Smoker Hive Tool Bee Vacuum Ladder Camera 5 gal. Bucket & Pole
Suitable Containers Nuc Box – With Some Drawn Frames • Cardboard – Light weight ; Less durable • Wooden – Heavier ; More durable Single-deep Hive Body • Heavy • Best for ground level swarms Any cardboard box – �� • If Not Ventilated: Bees must be moved quickly
Your Safety is First! Assess the Situation Carefully Be Realistic It is Ok to say “No” Not every swarm is retrievable Discuss alternatives?
Basic Steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Clear Access to Swarm (Ask: OK to Trim? ) Position Container Under Swarm Direct Bees Into Container Allow Bees to Settle In Seal the Nuc and Take it Home Oh, if it were always that easy
Every Retrieval is Different Rough Order of Difficulty (Easiest First) • Low Branches �� �� • Low and Entangled in Bushes �� �� • Bunched on Low Wall �� • Inside a Container (e. g. -- Trash Can) �� • Bunched near main trunk of small tree �� • High in Tree �� • Established in wall of a building �� �� – Another Story for Another Time
Educate Your Host While the bees are settling in. • Thank them for helping preserve bees • Answer questions about bees and beekeeping • Explain what to expect (Stragglers) • Leave IBA information • Give them some honey sticks, or honey • (Follow Up at a Later Date)
Seal Up and Clean Up • • Secure Entrance and Top of Nuc Box Police the Area Educate Owner Leave Contact Information
Locating Your Swarm • Depends on your Next Step • Minimize Relocation – Swarm bees will orient to your new site – Moving bees takes planning
Moving Bees Sort Distance Moves are Most Difficult • Bees are Highly Fixed on Point of Flight Origin • Move lest than 3 feet per day, or less Moving over a mile is easiest • Seal entrance early in the morning • Secure hive, Load, Transport, Open
Recognition & Contact Me: Jerry Zimmerman@uindy. com Special Thanks to My Mentor Sam Dodd I
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