Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club Swarm Catching Questions and Club Policy
When you get a swarm call, what should you ask and why?
Ok here are some key points to remember!
If you have any questions about this policy, please use the Contact Form to reach out.
- Ask for person’s name that is calling you. Get their phone number and address where the swarm is located.
- Ask if they are sure they are honey bees. Are they coming out of a paper-looking nest? I like to e-mail or text them a picture of a swarm for comparison. If they have already been out by the swarm and it isn’t aggressive, I ask if they can they send me a picture of the swarm without getting too close? I add that if they are not comfortable taking a picture that is ok. A picture allows me to identify that it is a swarm and not a hornet’s nest. It also allows me to better judge the size, height off the ground, and be better prepared with needed equipment.
- Ask if they have called any other beekeepers. I have been on a few swarm calls, only to find out they called another beekeeper and they arrived first, so I wasted a trip. If they haven’t called anyone, ask them not to and that you are on your way!
- Ask how soon they need the swarm removed. Example: if you have a 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. job, can they wait until after you get off work to capture the swarm? I will discuss the importance of this later.
- Ask if they the property owner. Why? Only the property owner can give YOU permission to enter the property legally. Renters have zero authority to give you permission. If they aren’t the owner, you are trespassing and could face legal consequences. If they aren’t the owner, can they give you the owner’s contact info so you can get permission?
- Ask if they have been near the swarm and if are they aggressive. It’s nice to know what protective items you may need to bring. Always bring hat and veil, gloves, and bee suit in case they MIGHT be Africanized. NEVER mention the possibility of an Africanized swarm to the homeowner as this can be VERY upsetting to them and there is no need to stress them out. I am only aware of ONE instance in Ada County that involved an aggressive swarm, but it was never scientifically proven to be Africanized. Finally, I will also ask them to stay away from the swarm and keep others away until I arrive.
- Ask where the swarm is. On a fence, on a branch, coming and going from inside a hole or crack in a tree, or a hole in the side of the house, etc… Again, the more you know, the better you can be prepared.
- Ask large the swarm is. Comparison: football, basketball, garbage-can lid diameter?
- Ask how high the swarm is. On the ground, 5 feet high, 12 feet, 30 feet, etc…
- Ask if the swarm is in a shrub or tree. Capturing a swarm hanging on the end of a low hanging branch is much easier than removing it from a rose bush or pine tree.
- Ask when they first noticed the swarm and how long has it been there.
- Ask if they have a ladder that is tall enough that can be borrowed or if you need to bring one. Usually the homeowner is very accommodating and will allow you to use things you may need but ask before you hang up or use their tools.
- Ask if the swarm is on a limb or branch and if it would be ok with the homeowner if you cut the branch and lowered it into your nuc or deep. NEVER EVER cut or break a branch or damage their vegetation without the homeowner’s permission! Example: It is the perfect swarm capture. It is 3 feet off the ground and at the end of a branch. The problem is that to get to it you need to walk through their beautiful flower patch, thereby crushing or damaging them. Don’t do it until they give you permission.
- Ask if they or anyone else in the area sprayed the bees with anything or done anything to irritate them. Why? I forgot to ask this question once and discovered that before I had called they had sprayed the swarm with Raid. I turned around and left because the swarm was dying and I didn’t want to put any of them in my capture nuc and contaminate it. Here is a suggestion. Ask them not to spray or bother the swarm at all!
- Tell them when you can arrive and give them your full name and cell number. That way, if the swarm leaves they can call you and tell you not to head their way.
Ok here are some key points to remember!
- You are a member of the TVBC and as such are a representative of our club. That means ANYTHING you do, good or bad reflects on the rest of the club!
- This is a FREE service! As a member of a not for profit club and being on the contact list for swarms on the TVBC website you are NOT allowed by club policy to charge a fee. If you do charge a fee you will be immediately removed from the swarm list. If they want to pay you for your time you can offer them the choice to write a check to the TVBC as a donation and then bring it to the next club meeting.
- There is one exception to payment. If the honey bees are coming out of a manmade structure, we do have members in the club that will remove them for a fee. This involves destruction of say a soffit or part of a wall in order to get to the bees and will take some construction expertise to put things back the way they were. The difference here is that the honey bee collection fee is free, but the manual labor to cut into the structure and repair does involve a fee.
- Also, as a representative of the club you have certain responsibilities. First, if you commit to collect the swarm and give the homeowner a time you can be there, arrive ON TIME or call with a really good reason why you are going to be late! If you can’t get there soon enough, per the homeowners wishes, let the homeowner know you can’t do it during their time-frame and suggest they call another beekeeper in the club. Personally, you may have some friends in the club that really need a swarm and you could give their contact info to the homeowner.
- Ok, you got all the above questions answered! You arrived on time, introduced yourself and are preparing to make the capture. This is for many homeowners is a once in a lifetime experience, so this is the perfect opportunity to educate them and any other bystanders about the importance of honey bees and why you shouldn’t kill them. One third of the food they eat is because of honey bees! Next, tell them what you are going do before you do so they know what to expect and then complete the capture in a safe and orderly fashion.
- Hurray, you successfully captured the swarm! However, as a representative of the club you have a couple more services to perform. First, collect all your gear and get it in your rig. Second, clean up ANY mess you made, meaning that if you have knocked branches on the ground or leaves, pick them up and either take them with you or ask if you can put them in the homeowner’s trash can. Third, you need the let the homeowner know that all the bees are NOT all in your collection device (nuc, deep super, cardboard box, etc..) and that you will need to leave that device in their yard until after dark so ALL the bees, or 99% of them are in there. Let them know that you will be back that evening after dark to pick them up. When you arrive later that night, let them know you have arrived and ask if it is ok for you to go into their front or back yard to collect the bees. You don’t want to be confused as a prowler.
- Finally, tell them on behalf of the TVBC and yourself that you appreciated being contacted so you could save the bees! I also give them a TVBC business card and add my name and phone number on it so they or their neighbors can call me if they get another swarm.
If you have any questions about this policy, please use the Contact Form to reach out.