Collecting Wild Honeybees on Thursday, June 09, 2011

I have a "wild" population of European honey bees in a log cavity that fell from a tree right in front of the 1920 Finley house in a 2009 wind-storm. Matt Reed, a beekeeper, collected two swarms of honeybees for us. View a video of Matt discussing beekeeping without chemicals and "medications" while he takes my second, smaller swarm off a fir tree limb.

by Steve Berliner

I have a “wild” population of European honey bees in a log cavity that fell from a tree right in front of the 1920 Finley house in a 2009 wind-storm.  A terrible shock to the hive, they still regrouped, repaired and maintained the cavity hive.  When we completed the bird pond that summer, we moved the hive log to lay partially in the pond and onto the ground.  I put up signs on both sides of the log noting the hive for its preservation and safety.  After two seasons, the hive was successful and had two swarms this spring, the original queen and half the hive or more left first, and then a smaller secondary swarm with a “virgin” queen about a week later.  A beekeeper, nephew of a friend, Matt Reed came and collected both swarms at my request.  Matt thought the natural protective “moat” of the pond was a cool amenity to the bees.  Although I have to say when it’s super active, some bees end up in the pond.
    I really hope the parent hive with its new queen will continue to thrive so we can repeat the swarm-collection process again and again.  Notice in the web video that while Matt wears a bee suit, he doesn’t wear gloves when he puts his hands right next to the swarm to shake them off.  He does spray the swarm with water mist first to minimize flying.  He got so busy opening his Bee Thinking supply store that week that he plum forgot to come back for the new hive, but they settled into the box nicely and waited for their new home. Here Matt discusses beekeeping without chemicals and “medications,” and takes my 2nd, smaller swarm off a fir tree limb. The first swarm was about four times the size of this one, and was handled just as easily.