birdsandbees
Field Bee
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2015
- Messages
- 814
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Worcester
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 20 ish
I was called by an old Lady yesterday as she had what seemed to be an airborne swarm in her garden, she couldn't see a cluster and was too fearful to go outside, I reasuured her and asked her to call back if they settled.
Three hours later she called to say that they were still all over the garden and she couldn't get her washing in and asked if I could help her.
so off I went not knowing what I could do, on arrival I could see many bees in the air but most around her chimney!
oh dear!
she went on to explain that she had bees in the chimney a couple of years ago and that she had paid someone to cap it off.. well, they did a pretty poor job then!
sure enough, the bedroom had bees up the window where they were finding the way through her black bag covered fireplace, as I had virtually nothing with me I placed a Nuc on her shed to see if we could tempt them as they clearly weren't settled, several scout bees were seen checking this out and I had to leave (supposed to be at work) later on, early evening time I called her back as I suddenly thought she could smoke them out, she said she would try and let me know this morning.
well, she didn't pluck up the courage so I headed over and gave it a try, managed to get most out and in the air and lots (small swarm sized cluster) were gathering on the Nuc, however, I know bees work fast but honey/nectar was seen dribbling out into the fireplace.
I rather suspect it is an established colony which swarmed yesterday but she hadn't noticed them or maybe it was old Honey from a dead out?
With many bees now fanning at the Nuc entrance and Drones in amongst the number could it be that it's working or as I suspect will they just return once the smoke clears?
time will tell I guess but I'm not hopeful
Three hours later she called to say that they were still all over the garden and she couldn't get her washing in and asked if I could help her.
so off I went not knowing what I could do, on arrival I could see many bees in the air but most around her chimney!
oh dear!
she went on to explain that she had bees in the chimney a couple of years ago and that she had paid someone to cap it off.. well, they did a pretty poor job then!
sure enough, the bedroom had bees up the window where they were finding the way through her black bag covered fireplace, as I had virtually nothing with me I placed a Nuc on her shed to see if we could tempt them as they clearly weren't settled, several scout bees were seen checking this out and I had to leave (supposed to be at work) later on, early evening time I called her back as I suddenly thought she could smoke them out, she said she would try and let me know this morning.
well, she didn't pluck up the courage so I headed over and gave it a try, managed to get most out and in the air and lots (small swarm sized cluster) were gathering on the Nuc, however, I know bees work fast but honey/nectar was seen dribbling out into the fireplace.
I rather suspect it is an established colony which swarmed yesterday but she hadn't noticed them or maybe it was old Honey from a dead out?
With many bees now fanning at the Nuc entrance and Drones in amongst the number could it be that it's working or as I suspect will they just return once the smoke clears?
time will tell I guess but I'm not hopeful
