How much do you charge to collect a swarm?

[PaleoPerson]

I see all sorts of prices for swarm collection with the dearest being about £50.00 for a 'normal' swarm collected by a Beek and not pest control. I have heard of much dearer prices for 'cut outs' though

So when I saw this.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honey-Bee-Swa...Bee_Keeping&hash=item35afcda57c#ht_768wt_1139

 

[xwb]

Nothing

 

[tonybloke]

Nothing

how far do you travel for nothing?

 

[xwb]

how far do you travel for nothing?

Ah yes, didn't think of that, the furthest I have travelled is 12 miles for a swarm.

Do you charge?

 

[Silly Bee]

Last season I collected 3. I didn't charge because I wanted them. This year I intend to charge/ pass on the collection cost to who ever i give them to.

 

[Poly Hive]

Hmmmm...


I can see the nothing argument. "I get the swarm....and all is rosy..."

However been there a few times... Swarm has gone... £15 gone in fuel.

Folks, whilst very community minded and all, you need to think about your expenses, and the risks to the passerbys.

Insurance anyone?

PH

 

[oliver90owner]

Last year I paid to collect two swarms! Next door. Same bush. Cost was a few jars of honey.

 

[Heather]

Collected quite a few last year.
I ask for a donation to a charity- but if it looks a lower income situation I just don't say.
I crawled though a loft on a steaming hot day to remove a bumble nest before loft was relagged. Chap gave me a quid! I politely said thankyou....

 

[Silly Bee]

Last year I paid to collect two swarms! Next door. Same bush. Cost was a few jars of honey.

Really? Swarms belong to whoever "captures" them.

 

[mbc]

I adverise a £40 callout fee, but rarely ask for it if the bees are local and the people arent idiots

 

[winmag270]

i ask for a contribution to fuel expenses if it's a swarm that can be gathered easily, up to the person if they do or not, I've got potentially either a new colony or bees that will boost an existing colony either way....

If it's not an "easy out" i politely discuss possible options with the person who has reported the swarm, up to them then how they then proceed and down to me if i think i'm capable of removal without risk to me / 3rd party / bees, or not....

 

[Silly Bee]

Hows things m8?

Is all well with yours?

 

[winmag270]

apart from chuffing woodpeckers... had a go at 4 hives over at fradley, two of mine and both of andrea's, no major damage, but two hives will need repair...

other than that all's good.

how's things with you?

 

[Silly Bee]

3 hives. all looking good. Even the old queen is producing. (I think)

 

[winmag270]

I lost a weak nuc that blew over in the bad winds, think it hit the deck and the cluster couldn't re-form, but apart from that OA showed all of mine going strong "so far"

fondant on all hives and they are being hefted regularly

work on the "bee shed" progresses....

 

[Hivemaker.]

Are Andrea's bee's okay after the attack.

 

[Silly Bee]

Slabs around the hives is ongoing. One hive ready for a new colony.

Have been asked to help set up a couple of colonies for a re-hab outfit.

 

[Hivemaker.]

And have you agreed to help?

 

[Silly Bee]

I think I've been coerced

 

[winmag270]

yep, thankfully the hive that took the worst of it was not a full colony, we'd got it built up to 8 frames as andrea had gotten it late in the season (as had I, a similar one), woody had a "go" at the side where the colony was, then put a two inch hole in the other side and encountered foundation and a dummy board...

all hives at that apiary now have chicken wire over coats