Free bees Pe34

[Pete D]

Taking a leaf out of Tonybloke's book I have a swarm that I collected on Wednesday evening settled in a 6 frame National Nuc box at present (1 frame is a feeder).
I would be happy to pass these on if someone wants to collect them from mine this Sunday evening and swap my 5 new Hoffman frames covered in bees for yours and a bottle of red wine !
PM me with a contact number
cheers
Pete D

 

[tonybloke]

oh no, the concept of giving away bees is catching on!!

well done Pete for making the offer ::

 

[susbees]

Excellent

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[sjt]

This sounds such a good idea, wish I lived nearer!

 

[busybee53]

This sounds like a good idea to me too. Perhaps I could have been more help to the public this season after all.

This is the first year I had been contacted about collecting swarms. Although I could have got around equipment and transport problems I had nowhere to keep a swarm.

There is no room with my own bees and the association apiaries do not allow swarms.

I thought I would need to keep any swarm I collected to feed them, to check for varroa etc and to see if they were not too bad tempered before handing them over to another, possibly beginner, beekeeper.

I have thought of looking for a suitable flat roof where a swarm could be kept but perhaps I don't need to if there is no reason to delay passing a swarm on to someone else to deal with.

Was I being too careful? Should beginners be given swarms? Are there non-beginners out there who would like free swarms or have they already got enough?

 

[Queens59]

Busybee53 - I was called by a wanabee keeper asking me to pass on swarm calls to him as he is frantic to fill a top-bar hive. I said I would collect one and house it for him to collect - as collecting swarms can sometimes be challenging.

As soon as I get a good one it will go into his hive. Not sure that a swarm is the way to start - but I'd like to know it is a Q+ swarm before handing it over...

 

[scuttlefish]

Blinkin' 'eck, swarms must grow on trees over in Norfolk - how come I never see any when I'm over there?!

 

[Pete D]

This one was on a 'plum' tree.........

and I am happy to pass it on to someone who knows what to do with it or has a mentor to help them.

My reckoning being that if they turn up at the right time of day with a suitable box and gear to allow them (or me) to transfer it then they have a good idea what to do next.

any offers of I will pop over with my cardboard box at lunchtime at whisk it away wont really cut it. I want to give it away with a clear conscience and not carry on looking after it at theirs for the next few months

any takers ?

Pete D

 

[village girl]

Taking a leaf out of Tonybloke's book I have a swarm that I collected on Wednesday evening settled in a 6 frame National Nuc box at present (1 frame is a feeder).
I would be happy to pass these on if someone wants to collect them from mine this Sunday evening and swap my 5 new Hoffman frames covered in bees for yours and a bottle of red wine !
PM me with a contact number
cheers
Pete D

that is so cool without people like you and tony i wouldent have been able to start beekeeping for at least another year after paying for a corse and equipment not alot left in the piggy bank for bees so well done to you and all those who are willing to help beekeepers of the future , and a big thank you

 

[BDCS]

This is my first year and after doing the course last year and buying gear I also was keen to get bees and get started. I bought a package from a dealer first and then a couple of hives with bees from a member on here. I would be very happy to collect a swarm for myself, on my own, with the right gear and at the right time of the day. I find the association near me act like a closed shop and "seem" unable to help the "beginner". I have asked for a mentor and to go on the swarm list but guess what happened there.
Anyway I collected my first swarm Saturday and they seem to be very happy and still there - I must have learnt and retained some of the course and done a lot of reading on here!

 

[Steve_gts]

I find the association near me act like a closed shop and "seem" unable to help the "beginner". I have asked for a mentor and to go on the swarm list but guess what happened there.

That seems to be quite a common situation, especially when run by semi-professional beekeepers, or the committee is made up of the old school!

 

[tonybloke]

That seems to be quite a common situation, especially when run by semi-professional beekeepers, or the committee is made up of the old school!

well it's a good job some of us 'new school' bee-keepers are trying to change the status quo, eh?

 

[Luminos]

That seems to be quite a common situation, especially when run by semi-professional beekeepers, or the committee is made up of the old school!

Exactly what I experienced in France when I tried to become a beekeeper several years ago

 

[madasafish]

Exactly what I experienced in France when I tried to become a beekeeper several years ago

Exactly what I did NOT experience in North Staffs where beekeepers with decades of expertise were and are willing to help train beginners.

 

[always weeding]

brilliant.nice idea

 

[Bee-Key-Pur]

Blinkin' 'eck, swarms must grow on trees over in Norfolk - how come I never see any when I'm over there?!

You never see then when you're here because Pete and Tony have been there ahead of you and removed them.....

 

[tonybloke]

You never see then when you're here because Pete and Tony have been there ahead of you and removed them.....

 

[REDWOOD]

Well done guys, but I must say my association is very helpful towards new beekeepers and also have a swarm list and if I get any call they goes to the association

 

[Silly Bee]

Exactly what I did NOT experience in North Staffs where beekeepers with decades of expertise were and are willing to help train beginners.

Ditto South Staffs.

 

[Outlander]

well it's a good job some of us 'new school' bee-keepers are trying to change the status quo, eh?

My first colony was £120 for what should have been 5 x 14x12 frames but on the day I was given 6 frames a big thank you to Mr. Everett. Now these are doing very well and have become known as the Everett's.

My second Colony the Springfield’s were a big prime swarm with this years queen that I was asked if I wanted to go and collect by Tonybloke a very big thank you to you Tony as would not of had a second colony until next year.

I know that there will be new keepers at time that will be helped by people such as Tony.

I have found swarm collecting is a very enjoyable thing to do and forgive the pun it's a real BUZZ. So next year I hope to be able to do the same unless your names Rab there 75 quid to you. IoW LOL