Height of Swarm

[mattsbees]

Just a point I have been wondering about lately, those of you who are experienced swarm collectors, what is the highest you have seen bees settle? I mean, when they cluster and scout bees go off how high do they usually gather at, is there a maximum? Sorry if this is quite a rudimentary question, it is something that has been going around in my mind!

 

[Queens59]

Our Church has a swarm settle 80 ft up on the side of the tower this July...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

can't beat that - my bees swarmed this year and settled in one of my apple trees on a branch about 16 20 feet up

 

[drstitson]

This one was about 40ft up. Tree was on a slope. Mentor (should that end al rather than or) lashed together two ladders with cord and a short overlap.

 

[Vergilius]

About 20m up an oak tree above a pond.

 

[Davelin]

Mentor (should that end al rather than or)

Definitely!

 

[yeogi75]

This one was about 40ft up. Tree was on a slope. Mentor (should that end al rather than or) lashed together two ladders with cord and a short overlap.

i think i would walk away from that one, unless you are a Fred dibnah fan
he he he

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Not me I hasten to add!

 

[dpearce4]

Guys are there any heights u wont go to to get the swarms?

 

[Poly Hive]

Yes. And lashing two ladders together is plain bloody stupid and very very unsafe. The safe working load of the lashing was what?

That has to be about the daftest thing I have seen here yet.

SAFETY always comes first. Bu**er the bees it is merely a swarm, you could be killed or worse with that sort of lash up. Worse being quadriplegic.

Unreal.

PH

 

[Nic Rhodes]

my cut off is the height of the ladder I use, agree totally with PH.

 

[Poggle]

Guys are there any heights u wont go to to get the swarms?

Chair height............I am terrified of anything higher than that.

 

[drstitson]

Falling out of trees seems to be an italian country pastime!!!!

 

[mattsbees]

Interestingly, if you are a member of most associations public liability only covers 3m which is as good as useless. The bbka booklet says call towergate before going above this height!!! Yeah right, that is practical on a Sunday afternoon!

 

[Poly Hive]

Fall backwards form four feet c/w hard hat and die.

It is that low.

I spent over ten years as an offshore safety rep trying to persuade the "troops" that taking chances was not a good idea, and lo... same same yet again...

PH

 

[simonf]

Had a one up a very tall tree, no chance any ladder would of got to it so I put spare hive under it and a day later swarm housed

 

[keith pierce]

iF THE HIVE IS IN THE ROOF OF A 3 STORY BUILDING AND SURROUNDED BY TREES , THEN IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT THE SWARM WILL BE AT THAT HEIGHT.THESE SWARMS ARE RARLY SEEN UNLESS SOMEONE SEES THE SWARM EXITING THE HIVE


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[Poly Hive]

A dead beekeeper keeps no bees.

Safety first.

As for high colonies swarming high.. I hae ma doots.. scouts scout, high and lo.

PH

 

[kighill]

Yes. And lashing two ladders together is plain bloody stupid and very very unsafe. The safe working load of the lashing was what?

That has to be about the daftest thing I have seen here yet.

SAFETY always comes first. Bu**er the bees it is merely a swarm, you could be killed or worse with that sort of lash up. Worse being quadriplegic.

Unreal.

PH

But then again I am scared of heights

 

[keith pierce]

I have an extendable window cleaners pole that goes up to about 25 feet, that i have adapted to take a swarm bag. since i have made this up, i have never left a swarm behind.


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