Bee Swarming Help & Advice Needed

[tomdfc]

As of yesterday, up here in Sansai we are now home to a swarming colony of bees.  They're perched on the top of our garden wall and very active as the day heats up.  I googled for info and think this may be a temporary stop before they move on to a new nesting site, but maybe not.  In any case they might move to a new home under our shingles which could be worse.   I don't want to kill them just send them on their way.  Does anyone have a contact for a "bee man" or bee removal company?  Thanks in advance.

[Rotweiler]

The swarm will move on in time.  Ours stayed 5 weeks, but the location was optimal for bees.  Normally they will stay 2-3 weeks.  Please do not spray them - they are rapidly becoming an endangered species here.

 

Edited January 25, 2018 by Rotweiler

[Pond Life]

I have seen several swarms at my place.

They all move on sooner or later.

Even if they move into your roof, it's not really a problem.

Pease leave them alone.

[canuckamuck]

Are they bees or hornets?

[tomdfc]

I think hornets are large.  These are small bees as far as I can gather. 

(That said, last year I was stung many times over 3 days by very small wasps and couldn't work out where they were coming from - the nest was on the underside of a big frangipani leaf and invisible until turned over.  The stings were as sore as any I can remember getting.  Broke a finger trying to swat them off.  Sometimes size doesn't matter.)

Pic attached.

[Rama]

either let them stay or find a beekeeper. A beekeeper can come and remove the queen bee to a new hive... They'll follow the queen bee. As long as the queen bee is there, they won't move. Don't aggravate them, you're just asking for trouble.

[Thailand]

Had a swarm size of a sofa land on out Bodhi tree about 2 weeks ago. Was going to call in the local bee guy but they left the following day.

The tree also seems to be a major short term stopover for birds during their bi-annual? migration. 

[Teak]

When bees swarm they are engorged with honey and cannot (generally) sting . Create a smoker of some sort and engulf them with dry/cool grass smoke. The queen is inside the group. Have a  a temporary cardboard box  and a lid. Take off the lid and place below the swarm. Give the swarm a single hard downward 'dump' and they will fall en mass into the box, literally like raisins. Cover the lid . Move to a new location and remove lid off the box. They will eventually leave. If you are a little apprehensive put on a large round hat and drape some mosquito netting around yourself, being sure to tuck it into your pants. They are not dangerous at this point. remember lots of smoke first. I have known people to do this naked except where hair may trap an errant bee. I tend to use a bit of mosquito netting around a broad brimmed hat and bare hands. Quite exciting to do.

[canuckamuck]

16 hours ago, Teak said:

 I have known people to do this naked except where hair may trap an errant bee. 

This definitely would not have been my first plan of action.

Edited January 27, 2018 by canuckamuck

[tomdfc]

They upped and left yesterday.  Thanks for the inputs and advice.  Next time, maybe ...

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 11:30 AM, tomdfc said:

I think hornets are large.  These are small bees as far as I can gather. 

(That said, last year I was stung many times over 3 days by very small wasps and couldn't work out where they were coming from - the nest was on the underside of a big frangipani leaf and invisible until turned over.  The stings were as sore as any I can remember getting.  Broke a finger trying to swat them off.  Sometimes size doesn't matter.)

Pic attached.

The smallest have the worst stings- hornets, ants, scorpions etc.

 

I had hornets take up residence in a box in the carport. I sprayed them which wasn't a good idea- broke world sprint record to inside house.

At night I sealed all the holes in the box and then sprayed them.

[thaibeachlovers]

22 hours ago, Teak said:

When bees swarm they are engorged with honey and cannot (generally) sting . Create a smoker of some sort and engulf them with dry/cool grass smoke. The queen is inside the group. Have a  a temporary cardboard box  and a lid. Take off the lid and place below the swarm. Give the swarm a single hard downward 'dump' and they will fall en mass into the box, literally like raisins. Cover the lid . Move to a new location and remove lid off the box. They will eventually leave. If you are a little apprehensive put on a large round hat and drape some mosquito netting around yourself, being sure to tuck it into your pants. They are not dangerous at this point. remember lots of smoke first. I have known people to do this naked except where hair may trap an errant bee. I tend to use a bit of mosquito netting around a broad brimmed hat and bare hands. Quite exciting to do.

I knew about putting swarms in a box for removal, and smoking them, but I never knew about them being loaded with honey. Makes sense though.

Thanks.