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Thu, 28 Mar 1996 13:03:46 EST |
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I had a challenge last summer when one of my hives swarmed and alighted
on a tree branch about 25 ft high, and a good 6-7' out from the trunk
of the (Hemlock) tree. As a new-bee, this was my first experience
capturing a swarm so my adrenalin was flowing!
I was able to get my extension ladder up to the
level of the branch, after cutting some branches away. I attached
the handle of a 5 gallon plastic bucket to an aluminum pole. Standing
on the ladder, I and was able to position the bucket below the swarm;
when I lifted it up into the swarm, I caught about 50% of the swarm. The ones I
missed returned to cluster on the same branch.
I must have gotten the queen on the first try, as they basically stayed
in the bucket as I climbed down the ladder with it.
It took four of these operations until I had gotten 90% of the swarm.
About one week later, I noticed there was still an apple sized ball of
bees on that same branch. I went back up and got them too!
All in all, it was quite an experience for a first timer!
Roland
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