by Hilary | Apr 4, 2022 | Equipment, How To, Intermediate & Experienced Beekeepers
Swarm are designed to travel. When a swarm lands, a beekeeper never knows how long they will stay put. I have often rushed out of the house to catch a swarm only to have them leave in the time it took me to drive to their location. If you hope to catch a swarm this...
by Hilary | Aug 24, 2021 | Intermediate & Experienced Beekeepers
Swarm size varies dramatically. Some massive clusters are the equivalent of several watermelons while others are barely grapefruit-sized. These size differences may seem arbitrary, but when a swarm is exceptionally large or small they may need special care. Read on...
by Hilary | Jan 9, 2020 | Just for Fun
While it’s true that some hobbyist beekeepers will gleefully remove a colony of bees for free, many beekeepers charge for live bee removal. This inconsistency among beekeepers can create some confusing expectations for homeowners. Unfortunately, it may also...
by Hilary | Mar 26, 2016 | How To, Intermediate & Experienced Beekeepers, Natural Beekeeping, New Bees
The other day, a child in one of my children’s bee classes asked me if I would run away if I saw a swarm of bees. I smiled and told her, “No, I would run towards them because I’d want to catch them!” In fact, I have done this. I chased a swarm...
by Hilary | Feb 28, 2016 | How To, Intermediate & Experienced Beekeepers, Natural Beekeeping
Every spring bee swarms land in my yard. In fact, this week not one, but three swarms descended upon me within a period of just 5 days! You may be feeling somewhat jealous of my good luck at this point…So, why am I so popular, and what are the best ways to...