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JP
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« on: March 20, 2009, 10:38:50 PM » |
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A customer who I removed bees for last year http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/June132008#called me this past Monday about seeing some bees checking things out at her house near the area where the hive I removed last year was located. I went over and hung a swarm trap and told her to call me if she was seeing lots of two way traffic from the trap. She called Wednesday and said there were bees checking the trap out and then yesterday called to say there was a huge ball of bees on the bottom of the trap. I went over today and found a swarm had indeed moved in and took pictures. I will go back right at dark next week and remove the trap and replace it with another. She said a bunch of kids in the neighborhood were enamored with the bees entering the trap, watching from her yard after asking permission to check out the bee trap. I also caught a small swarm later on today, probably an after swarm. Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/March202009?authkey=Gv1sRgCMbz7ceg8f7fmAE#...JP |
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annette
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« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2009, 11:34:04 PM » |
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Just love the xerox boxes. I got one just like that as I am following your steps. Hopefully it will work out like yours does.
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JP
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« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2009, 11:47:10 PM » |
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Annette, I know it must seem a little overwhelming with the different scenarios swarms may present but once you catch a few, you'll see everything you've been anticipating will fall right in place.
Yes, there are little tricks that may help in this or that situation but when you get right down to it, its just some bees and a queen looking for a new home.
Think of a swarm as a package installation, cause that's really what you're dealing with, same basic thing.
I look forward to you catching you a nice one!
...JP
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fermentedhiker
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Location: Midcoast Maine
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« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2009, 09:29:11 PM » |
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I have to say that my first and so far only swarm catch was text book. A friend was excited about me getting bees and said he was going to get some also and what do you know he calls me two weeks later asking me to help him catch a swarm he found. About a 3lb swarm hanging 5 feet of the ground in a rhododendron bush. He had managed to find the landlord telephone number and get permission to remove it by the time I got there. Walked up sprayed them with sugar water(they were in love with me after that) and dropped them into a 5 gallon bucket. Tossed a wet shirt over the top and tied it off. They turned out to be wonderful bees for him. Super gentle and calm on the comb, a little propolis happy but you gotta take the good with the bad right.
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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
--Douglas Adams
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JP
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« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2009, 10:22:03 PM » |
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Hey, more propolis is a desirable trait down here, helps them to cement the covers down better for hurricane preparedness!
...JP
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Cindi
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« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2009, 10:44:52 PM » |
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JP, I am beginning to think that you are using the law of attraction for the swarms that you contact with, smiling. You go, dude!!! Have that awesomely great and beautiful day, love our life, health. Cindi
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There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold. The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold. The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee. Robert Service
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annette
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« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2009, 11:08:20 PM » |
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JP you are changing your avatar so many times now, I don't know who you are anymore.
Just Kidding!! Actually I like this one with the hives. Are they yours??
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JP
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« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2009, 12:30:15 AM » |
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Those are a bunch of medium supers and some deeps my nephew painted up and put together last season.
He had stacked them on my back patio and I thought they looked cool so I took the picture.
...JP
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JP
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« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2009, 11:27:43 PM » |
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Another swarm caught from same house. The lady called me Friday to say there were scouts checking out the trap and yesterday she called full of enthusiasm! She called and said, "I just saw the most beautiful sight!" She witnessed the swarm come into the trap with the sky full of thousands of bees. She was just thrilled. Shook 'em in a deep. They were a little riled up and we both took a few stings, guess they were hungry, but will need to keep an eye on them. Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/April52009?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2s0YmZ9eXrOw#...JP |
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slaphead
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« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2009, 12:27:08 AM » |
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JP,
It is amazing how may swarms you are finding.
you make it look easy.
Congrats.
SH
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The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - FDR, 1933
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JP
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« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2009, 08:18:46 AM » |
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I found out yesterday that the people across the street from this lady have had bees 3 different times in their home.
The swarm trap is back up and ready for #3. I believe it will happen.
...JP
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KD4MOJ
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« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2009, 08:36:10 AM » |
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JP I'm sure there is a story behind the casket and the bees...
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JP
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« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2009, 08:47:39 AM » |
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JP I'm sure there is a story behind the casket and the bees...
Why, yes there is! The family of the deceased was to perform a burial and when the granite facing was removed, they were treated with a surprise. That's when I was called in. The queen was unusually reddish in color from any queen I've ever seen down here. For those who missed this post, here are those pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/April252008#...JP |
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wadehump
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« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2009, 10:32:03 AM » |
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jp are you using a lure in your swarm traps
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wadehump
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« Reply #14 on: April 10, 2009, 10:53:11 AM » |
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bump
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JP
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« Reply #15 on: April 10, 2009, 11:21:15 AM » |
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jp are you using a lure in your swarm traps
Yes, a little chunk of old comb and a piece of napkin dotted with a spec of lemongrass oil. BTW, bees are checking the trap out again! ...JP |
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dpence
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« Reply #16 on: April 10, 2009, 09:38:45 PM » |
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Way to go JP...cool.
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Cheryl
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top bar beekeeper
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« Reply #17 on: April 11, 2009, 12:13:35 AM » |
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The queen was unusually reddish in color from any queen I've ever seen down here. Those are lovely photos of the queen. She's beautiful. |
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We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
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JP
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« Reply #18 on: April 11, 2009, 12:22:01 AM » |
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Cheryl, she was quite a beauty, unusually reddish compared to what I normally see in our area.
...JP
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Natalie
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« Reply #19 on: April 11, 2009, 09:42:35 AM » |
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JP, I can't believe how many swarms you find in your area, I never hear of anything like that around here.
So what do you do with them all? Do you keep them or sell them after they build up?
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