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Catching, Handling & Installing

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Mid February Mid October 2014 First call Feb 14 Last Oct 17th 2015 First call Feb 19 - ? Most calls are in April & May Late season swarms Disea se Ants

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Safety for you The homeowner Spectators The bees

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Use terms the caller can understand! Where are they? (on tree, trash can, hanging or in a wall or hole in tree etc.) Is it a swarm or a colony!?!? How high? (taller than you or roof line) How large? (grapefruit, pineapple, football, basketball) It is your job to extract as much info to bee prepared! Inform them about donation to the club

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Type of Swarms Tree hangers Pole huggers Trash canners Fence weavers Ground pile Etc

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Buckets Paint strainers Cardboard box Nuke Bee vac Smoker Ladder Mesh bag Spray bottle with H2O Queen cage Wire mesh Trap out cone Ladder Hive tools Extension pole bucket Scissor catcher Clippers Rubber banded frame Tape Caution tape

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My first attempt at catching a swarm

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The MDBA does not recommend or advise structural extractions

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Seal up your container Provide adequate ventilation!!!!!! Advise homeowner regarding stragglers Make sure homeowner is happy Ask for Donation

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Lots & Lots & Lots of VENTILATION!!! Keep them out of the sun. Reinstall into new hive as soon as possible.

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Shaker Slamming (Great way to make comb & honey fast!) Place in a nuke until adequately large to move into hive (for swarms & colonies) Good time to mark and clip wing of queen

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You are the ambassadors of BEES! This is your opportunity to share your knowledge with the public. Calm and reduce any fears Make it a rich teaching opportunity Invite them to the club to learn more and to invite bees into their life! A little knowledge goes along way! Kindly ask for the donation to the club

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Swarms are not a profit opportunity for members. Once you fill up your hives, help out another member with the gift of a swarm. Know your limitations! If the swarm is to high or beyond your skill level or puts you in harms way, STOP! HAVE FUN!!!!!!