Only days after retrieving a swarm from a house in Kitchener, I was emailed by the principal of Lexington Public School in Waterloo. There was a swarm of bees hanging in a tree in the school yard. After work, my friend Mike and I went out to the school to retrieve them.
We used a standard deep Langstroth hive box with pieces of plywood on top and bottom to capture the bees. There was a 1¼” hole in the box to use as an entrance. After the bees were in the box, we left them until dusk with a big sign that said “Caution. Live bees. Do not disturb.” I also wrote my phone number in case anyone had any questions or concerns.
After nightfall, Mike picked up the box and transferred them to a new top bar hive, where they are now happily setting up their new home.
Swarms in your area?
If you have stumbled upon a swarm of honeybees in your neighbourhood, please contact me. I will do my best to help them find a safe home.
Hi Chris, how are your new swarm hives doing?
Hi Chris, thanks for the contact information about the swarm in Waterloo. I managed to collect the swarm and they are currently in a box on my back deck. I just got home about 30 minutes ago.
I will transfer them to a hive tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Chris H.
Hi Chris, I got your website from Melissa Krone whom I work with. I have a swarm on bees on the boston ivy at my home. It’s the first year they have nested there, but there seems as though there are 100’s (which I’m sure there aren’t). Are you interested in capturing them?