The spring after I started beekeeping, I hived my first swarm and,
gosh, the swarm was docile, easily-handled, and on a fence post.  A week
later, I went up a hemlock tree after another swarm.  I planned to knock the
branch to shake the swarm into a red plastic bucket.  I was not wearing a
headnet because 1) I couldn't see to climb with the headnet on, and  2)
because the books were correct and swarms were docile and easily handled.
        When I hit the branch to dislodge the swarm, I also, inadvertently,
moved the bucket so that the swarm dropped onto my head and shoulders.
         I came _rapidly_ down the tree, removed (with my wife's help)
thirteen stingers from my head, neck, and wrists,  and hustled into the
shower because I had to go to teach a class.  (I live on the grounds of a
boarding school.)  The class watched, with some amusement, as points on my
face swelled from the stings.
         This happened in 1972.  And I did learn to take my headnet up into
the tree so I could wear it as insurance before I moved the bees.  Many years
later, I learned that the amazing secret to collecting a high swarm is to
raise a frame with some uncapped brood up to the swarm.  A swarm will move
onto the frame and the frame with bees can be lowered to the ground.  The
beekeeper stays on the ground.
          The swarm's instinct to cover and protect/warm uncapped brood
appears to be stronger than the swarming instinct.
          Swarm-collecting has been, for me, a great and positive public
relations operation.  (No, I haven't dumped another swarm on my head!)
Swarm-collecting is almost always done in front of an interested
(apprehensive?) and attentive crowd.  They leave knowing a lot more about
bees and beekeeping.
Tim
Tim Sterrett
Westtown, (Southeastern) Pennsylvania, USA
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