Archive for the ‘Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher’ Category

Steve Gets a Swarm (finally)

Posted in Natural Beekeeping, Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher, Swarms, Videos, tagged , , , , on June 18, 2015| 6 Comments »

Big Swarm in Escallonia hedge.

Big Swarm in Escallonia hedge.

Another look at the swarm after removing some branches.

Another look at the swarm after removing some branches.

Using a stick of bamboo, I positioned the Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher as close as I could. Steve slowly lifted the branch and yanked it down. Most of the bees fell into the sack, some missed and landed on the white sheet below.


Using a stick of bamboo, I positioned the Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher as close as I could. Steve slowly lifted the branch and yanked it down hard. Most of the bees fell into the sack, some missed and landed on the white sheet below.

That sack was heavy, heavier than any other swarm I've ever caught. I had to be careful not to crush any bees when I flipped it over into the bucket.

That sack was heavy, heavier than any other swarm I’ve ever caught. I had to be careful not to crush any bees when I flipped it over into the bucket.

First bucket is full.

First bucket is full.

After another catch in the sack, this bucket was full. The rest of the bees were clinging to the branch, so I tried out my homemade bee vac for the first time...

After another catch in the sack, this second bucket was full. The rest of the bees were clinging to the branch, so I tried out my homemade bee vac for the first time…

Even more bees in the bee vac which I recently built using a vacuum made for a 5 gallon bucket lid. I used a dimmer switch (as seen to the right of the bucket) so I could adjust the suction to avoid harming the bees. I'm happy to report that no dead bees were found. The dimmer switch worked perfectly. Plans were found at beesource.com .

…which I recently built using a vacuum made for a 5 gallon bucket lid. I used a dimmer switch (as seen to the right of the bucket) so I could adjust the suction to avoid harming the bees. I’m happy to report that no dead bees were found. The dimmer switch worked perfectly. Plans were found at beesource.com .

Judging from the bees gathered on the outside of this bucket, I think it's safe to say, the queen is within.

Judging from the bees gathered on the outside of this bucket, I think it’s safe to say, the queen is within.

Big Swarm has a new home.

Big Swarm has a new home.

June 18, 2015...Steve reports that his 'girls' are doing well.

June 18, 2015…Steve writes, “Just an update, “girls” doing well.  Happy pollinators week!

The above swarm worked out well, but it was only after we abandoned our efforts to try to bag the swarm below.

This was a 'pancake' swarm,' lying on the ground in front of a recently occupied Warre hive. Are they going in? It looks like it...but they decided not to enter the bait hive.

This was a ‘pancake’ swarm,’ lying on the ground in front of a recently occupied Warre hive.
Are they going in? It looks like it…but they decided against it.

I replaced the bait hive with Steve's Langstroth hive, then tried sweeping them into a dust pan and dropping it into the Lang...not so fast, they break for the Warre hive.

I replaced the bait hive with Steve’s Langstroth hive, then tried sweeping them into a dust pan and dropping it into the Lang…not so fast, they break for the Warre hive.

I figured,

I figured, “okay, they made their choice,” but a couple of hours later, I found them going back to the Lang.

...all grouped up on the SIDE of the hive.

…eventually grouping up on the SIDE of the hive.

Since the swarm had been without water, I provided some sugar water to try to entice them into the Lang. They would have to go into it to access the sugar water.

Since the swarm had been without water or sustenance for a few days, I provided some sugar water to try to entice them into the Lang. They would have to go into the hive to access the sugar water.  That ought to work…it didn’t.

Then the bees move over here about 5 feet. I set up some moss water...

A day later, the bees moved over here about 5 feet away. I set up some moss water…

...and an inverted swarm catcher. I called Steve saying I didn't think he would want this little swarm. It's possible that it's a cast swarm with a virgin queen that can't fly. He agreed. Four days later we get the swarm call for the one in the escallonia hedge. We both agree we're glad we waited.

…and an inverted swarm catcher. I called Steve saying I didn’t think he would want this little swarm. It’s possible that it’s a cast swarm with a virgin queen that can’t fly.
Four days later we get the swarm call for the one in the escallonia hedge. We both agree we’re glad we waited.

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Using the Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher

Posted in Natural Beekeeping, Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher, Swarms, Videos, Warre Hive, tagged , , , , , , on April 16, 2014| 7 Comments »

The Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher is called into action.

Whenever we find a swarm much above eye level,  the Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher is called into action.  You can make one by cutting the bottom out of a plastic flower pot and attaching a cloth sack.  The height is adjustable by the length of bamboo used.  Many thanks to Don Steinkraus for writing about it, and Terry Kelly of Berkeley for sending it to me.  It’s invaluable.

I consider myself a ‘natural beekeeper.’  I don’t make splits, raise my own queens, or buy package bees.  I let the bees swarm.  I believe in the adage, “Swarming Bees are Healthy Bees.”  Having said that, when the bees swarm, we have to catch them.  If they swarm into the bamboo, it’s lower to the ground, but difficult to get.  If they swarm into the spruce tree, they generally cluster up high.  The first one this year formed high, then re-formed to a lower more reachable area.

Pipe hangers to attach a length of bamboo.

Pipe holders for a length of bamboo to slip into.

Sew in a curve to avoid trapping bees in a corner.

Sew in a curve to avoid trapping bees in a corner.

Velcro attaches the sack to the cut off flower pot.

Velcro attaches the sack to the cut off flower pot.My first swarm this year happened last week.  I was busy with printing deadlines when my wife shouted, “WE HAVE A SWARM!”  The bees seem to like this spruce tree.  It’s been the scene for three swarms now, two of which we have caught.

Centering the catcher under the swarm.

Centering the catcher under the swarm.

The idea is to position the catcher under the swarm before bumping the branch to make the bees fall directly into the sack.  Last year I was able to ‘pop’ the branch upward to get a bunch of bees all at once.  This time it didn’t go as planned.  The bees clung to the branch.  When I ‘popped the branch,’  They started flying around and getting all defensive.  The camera lady was concerned (maybe because we were both getting stung) so we didn’t get the action on video.  The next morning we were more successful.  We trimmed a few branches and I was able to ‘pop’ the branch from above.  The bees fell into the sack, the sack was emptied into the empty Warre, and all is well as of day 4.

April 15, 2014...This is day 4. I'm assuming the bees have decided to stay.

April 15, 2014…This is day 4. I’m assuming the bees have decided to stay.

April 15, 2014...the bees can be seen through the observation window. Chaining to 'measure' for building natural comb.

April 15, 2014…the bees can be seen through the observation window. Chaining to ‘measure’ for building natural comb.

I've heard about this bee sting remedy...soften up the end of a clove of garlic. Rub it onto the sting. It seems to relieve the pain and the swelling.

I’m sure you’ve seen the you-tube video of the guy putting his  bare hand into a swarm of bees.  As I suited up to get this newly formed swarm, I’m thinking, “what a sissy I am.  The swarm just formed, they’re not going to sting.”  Let’s just say, I’m glad I was suited up.  I was able to give this bee sting remedy a good test.  By softening up the end of a clove of garlic, rubbing it onto the stings to relieve the pain and the swelling, I can report that it worked well on all our stings.

I have to thank Ron of www.biobees.com. If you daub some of this around the sting area, it will cover up the bee's alarm pheramone...just don't daub it on your sting because it can be much more painful than the sting itself.

I found out about peppermint oil from one of the bee forums.  If you daub some of it around the sting area, it will cover up the bee’s alarm pheromone…just don’t daub it directly on your sting because it can be much more painful than the sting itself.  Believe me, I know.

Catching the bees  into the Steinkraus-Morse Swarm Catcher video

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