Swarms Swarms EveryWhere!!! Swanson 1!!!

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Gary Fawcett

Got another call from a kind member of the public “Terry” yesterday morning while we were getting reading to tackle the Hawthorn Swarm again. A swarm had arrived yesterday and was in a tree. It turned out that Terry knows Tom Dixon from the Bee Club, so small world indeed.

Luckily for us the swarm was only 1 metre about the ground, so was an easier one to rescue that the Hedge one see other posts this weekend..

We placed a full sized hive below it and shock the bees into it. Once we closed up the hive, a few bees returned to the original spot we also shook these into a box and placed them on a sheet in front of the hive. We have heard that an aerosol air freshener can be used to mask the Queens scent on the old location of the swarm. But we didn’t have any with us? I wonder if Lemon Juice and Water would work just as well? What do you use?

It was amazing watching them all walking into the hive, so we are pretty certain we had the Queen in the main box. We return later in the night to retrieve them all.

The birth of “Swanson 1”

All Photos of the Day (Click to enlarge):-

About Gary Fawcett

Gary enjoys designing new kiwimana products which we sell through our on-line shop. He is passionate about saving the Bees and encouraging urban beekeeping. Gary loves to write about issues that affect the Bees and our environment. He is also into tramping/walking in the beautiful New Zealand bush.

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2 Responses to Swarms Swarms EveryWhere!!! Swanson 1!!!

  1. Graham says:
    November 14, 2011 at 9:11 am

    One of the finest sights in beekeeping! I just love watching the ordered march in of the workers, and the stragglers guided by the fanned pheremones. truely a magnificent occasion!

    • Gary says:
      November 14, 2011 at 11:41 am

      Yes I agree Graham, it’s fantastic it’s like watching rush hour on the North Western motorway from above. But with much more purpose and point :) .

      One of natures wonders indeed, we are so glad we got to see it. I love explaining to bystanders what is happening and not to fear the little Bee..

      see ya…Gary

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