When one gets away!

Claire Waring discusses how to collect swarm and hive it

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'A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon, A swarm in July is hardly worth a fly?'

Bees being bees and humans being humans, queen cells can be missed and, inevitably, there will come a time when you lose a swarm. Wherever it hangs, assuming it is within reach, you can collect it and put it in a hive.

CATCHING A SWARM

You may find a swarm clustering in your apiary. More often, you will be asked to collect one from someone's property. This can be straightforward if the bees are in a neat cluster, hanging about head height, or it can be very awkward, such as when the bees are spread throughout a hedge.

When you take the call, get as much information as possible. First confirm that they are actually honey bees. Many 'swarm' calls are actually about bumblebees. How big is the swarm? Try comparing it to a football, rugby ball or even an orange! Where is it? Can it be reached easily? Do you need a ladder? You will learn what questions to ask with experience.

BASIC EQUIPMENT

The first essential is something in which to collect the swarm. Traditionally this is a straw skep which is light with a rough interior making it easier for the bees to cluster inside. However, a cardboard box works, especially if you push some sticks across inside, giving the bees something to hang from. Don't use plastic as the bees can't cling to the smooth surface.

You need a loose-weave cloth that allows air through to cover the container when you take it home. Include some string to secure the cloth and some secateurs for cutting vegetation out of the way.