With the unusually warm temperatures this January 2009, I am forced to think about bees swarming in Spring. Last year my one and only hive swarmed on March 3rd. Not a bad thing, natural actually. However there are steps I must take to hopefully avoid my 3 colonies from swarming. That's another story.
I am writing this now to encourage any and all of you to understand that swarms of bees are fairly harmless. Swarms must still be treated with caution, and should be removed by experienced beekeepers. They SHOULD NOT BE destroyed with pesticides, lighter fluid, fire, or any other asinine method.
Why fairly harmless? When bees prepare to swarm, they prepare for their journey by gorging themselves upon honey in order to have enough food for their travel. This seemingly makes it very difficult for the thorax to assume the "sting position", also, they have no home to protect. They are on a mission to get to a new home. This all applies directly after the bees swarm. If it has been a few days, and the bees become hungry this is called a "dry swarm". A dry swarm can be very testy, that is why it is best to call a beekeeper, or swarm catcher. Someone who will not kill the bees.
I agree with a fellow commercial beekeeper, Dana Mumm. She feels honeybees should be protected. They are like the "canary in the mine", and are reflecting negative actions made toward the planet doncha know!
So come on people, WAKE UP with me...take care of Mother Earth. Stop using chemicals, pesticides, stop polluting the planet.
Peace Out~*~*~
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