How to Catch a Honeybee Swarm

Catching a swarm of honeybees is an exciting thing for a beekeeper. It will save him/her a lot of time and money, and it's just plain adventurous and fun! Here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Large Box
• Honey
• Bee suit and gloves
• Loppers
• Duct Tape
• Beehive
• Ladder (possibly)

1. Assess the location of the swarm. If it is too high in the tree, or on a branch that is too thick, or in someone's attic, you're best leaving it alone. However, usually the swarms are pretty accessible, on a small to medium sized branch of a tree or shrub. This step can usually be done without wearing a protective suit. Bees in swarm mode are not likely to sting.
2. Suit up and gather your equipment. Catching a swarm is easier if you have an assistant.
3. Squirt a little honey around inside the box. Bees will happily go anywhere there is honey. Your box needs to be big enough to accommodate the bees and whatever limb you need to cut off with them.
4. Position the box underneath the swarm. The queen is in the middle of the swarm, and the other bees are surrounding her. You must catch the queen in order for the hive to survive.
5. Getting ready to cut the branch There are a couple of ways to transfer the swarm into the box. The easiest is to cut off the branch and let it drop right into the box (which you're holding up to make the drop a short one). Another method is to shake the branch into the box. This usually works, but you risk losing the queen, as she could fly away.
6. Bees inside the box, ready to be taped up Once most of the bees are in the box, you can close it up with duct tape. Keep the box in the shade until about dusk.
7. Taping the box up At dusk, you can transfer the bees to their new beehive, which you have set up where you want it to be. There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to open the box and dump the bees into the hive. We have always done this and never have lost the queen. Another method is to open the box onto a white sheet in front of the hive. The bees will march across the sheet into their new home. Bees instinctive stay in one place overnight, so they will stay in their new home at least that long, and usually for as long as you want to keep them. Occasionally they will swarm again.
8. Beehives all set up Because you usually won't know the origin of the hive, it is a good idea to medicate the bees as you would your other hives.

Tips & Warnings

• Bees usually swarm late May to early June. Getting your name and phone number on a list with the local Extension office or emergency officials will ensure you'll get called when people are looking for help with a swarm of bees.
• Make sure there are some frames with honey on them in the new hive so that the bees will accept their new home.
• Catching a swarm should be done by someone who has some beekeeping experience.
• Although bees in swarm mode are not likely to sting, common sense is to protect yourself from possible stings as much as possible.