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The following is a list of routine questions that our members
will ask when you call about a swarm of bees:
- Are they truly honey bees? We're always a little more careful
of swarm calls during summer and fall. Too often they are yellow
jackets or wasps. If they're yellow and black, and buzzing around
your garbage or BBQ, we'll recommend wasp traps or pest control.
- Where are the bees? Identify the environment where the bees
are located. Are the bees in a tree or other foliage? Inside
a structure, like an attic or chimney? On a chain link fence
or the like? In general, a volunteer swarm removal person will
not want to get involved in removing swarms that have found
their way inside your home. You should contact a professional
pest control person to attempt removal of hard-to-access swarms.
- How high from the ground is the swarm? The reason for this
question is obvious. Most volunteer swarm removal folk won't
risk life and limb to get a high swarm. Contact a professional
pest control person to attempt removal of hard-to-reach swarms.
- How long has the swarm been there? A hanging swarm that has
been at the site for more than a day can be aggressive. The
beekeeper who volunteers to pick up the swarm must be prepared
for this. A "swarm" that has been ensconced in a structure for
weeks or years is NOT a "swarm." It's an established hive of
bees.
- How big is the swarm? Many people see a cluster of bees and
think they have wandered into a Hitchcock movie. To them any
gathering of bees is huge. Try to frame an objective, non-emotional
unit of measurement as a point of reference to describe the
size of the swarm. Is the swarm as big as a basketball, a baseball,
a volleyball, a football? Bigger than any of the above? If so,
it's about the size of what?
- Is the swarm yours to give away? If you're requesting that
a swarm be removed from your neighbor's property, a beekeeper
should not trespass on someone's property to respond to that
call. Also, occasionally, there is a beekeeping neighbor who
wants the swarm but is not aware that it has issued. Asking
this question may avoid a legal problem or moral dilemma.
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Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association (MDBA) is
dedicated to educating communities about honeybees and the historic
art of beekeeping.
The MDBA is one of the largest bee associations
in the United States with 120 members from around the world. The
MDBA meets at 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of every month, except
November and December, at Heather Farm Garden Center in Walnut
Creek, California.
Each month, the MDBA presents a different
speaker on a variety of topics and has an open forum for people
to exchange ideas and helpful tips.
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