swarms of bees

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lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 4:44 pm Post subject: swarms of bees

When I was out walking the dogs this afternoon I saw 2 swarms of bees hanging from a beech tree. I didn't go too close with 6 dogs but one was about the size of a rugby ball the other about half that size. The tree is next to a hard track currently being used by the forestry commission to remove logs, and I would say the swarms were at risk of being knocked by the lorries in the morning.
Being aware of the problems bees are facing at the moment is there anyone who should know? Would local beekeepers be able to collect the bees if they wanted?
Anyone want directions? IP28 ish.
Andrea.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 4:47 pm Post subject:
The local branches of the BBKA are listed here. If you contact your nearest one they should have a swarm person who'll come out.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35100
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:14 pm Post subject:
Please do contact your local BKA. They will die is no-one collects them

TheGrange

Joined: 12 Apr 2009
Posts: 874

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:20 pm Post subject:
oh thats such a shame, being a would be beekeeper for only the want of the darn bee's

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:22 pm Post subject:
Crumbs! I didn't realise it was that radical. OH says he knows someone through Suffolk Organic Gardeners, but he has just gone to take DD's friend home. How urgent is it? Do they stay in the same place? How do wild bees survive then? A

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:24 pm Post subject:
Yes - a bit far to come from the Peak District. And these would be softy Southern bees A

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:28 pm Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

They will die is no-one collects them

Will they (IE is it 100% that they will)? I would have thought they would have found a suitable site to set up home without "our" version of "help".

Richard

PS I so wish they were closer

ksia

Joined: 17 May 2006
Posts: 2320
Location: Mayenne, France

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:31 pm Post subject:
If someone could issue 'em all with passports .....

alice

Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 2820

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:47 pm Post subject:
'A swarm in May is worth a load of hay'

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:53 pm Post subject:

RichardW wrote:

Jamanda wrote:

They will die is no-one collects them

Will they (IE is it 100% that they will)? I would have thought they would have found a suitable site to set up home without "our" version of "help".

Richard

PS I so wish they were closer

They usually scout a new home before swarming & tend to hang in a branch for anything from a few minutes to a few hours.
Sometimes they will swarm without having a new home to go to & then they can hang for up to a week whilst scout bees search out a new abode.
The longer they stay there the more tetchy they will become.
I'm sure there are feral colonies thatr are surviving so these could be one such.

TheGrange

Joined: 12 Apr 2009
Posts: 874

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 5:57 pm Post subject:

lassemista wrote:

Yes - a bit far to come from the Peak District. And these would be softy Southern bees

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 6:17 pm Post subject:
'A swarm in May is worth a load of hay' I was trying to remember that rhyme - I assume that means it is good.

alice

Joined: 18 Feb 2006
Posts: 2820

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 6:28 pm Post subject:
I believe so. Apparently.... 'A swarm in May is worth a load of hay A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon A swarm in July isn't worth a fly'

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 6:33 pm Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

Please do contact your local BKA. They will die is no-one collects them

The ones Mary Jane has at the university came from a swarm like this--- and they seem to be surviving without human intervention---any beekeeper would be glad to have them---but before the present disease problems swarms that got away or initial feral swarms did just fine---it's possible that the very few swarms that manage to survive after "going wild" might be the more resistant bees of the future as they have survived without intervention----at least I live in hope.

lassemista

Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 608
Location: suffolk

Posted: Sun May 17, 09 8:47 pm Post subject:
Well after rather a lot of phone calls, there is now a chap going hopefully to collect them tomorrow. He is supposed to let me know what happens. I feel strangely responsible for their wellbeing Thanks for the advice folks, Andrea.

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