First swarm call of the year

First call-out of the year came in this week — a good-sized cluster hanging off a garden fence, about the size of a rugby ball, sitting completely still apart from the odd bee coming and going. That’s about as textbook as a swarm gets.

Worth saying again for anyone finding one for the first time: a cluster like that is calm. It’s left its old hive with a full stomach and no comb to protect, and it’s just waiting on scout bees to agree on a new home. Best thing you can do is leave it alone, keep the kids and pets clear, and give me a ring.

Collection itself took about twenty minutes — box under the cluster, one firm shake, lid on, and the stragglers found their way in over the next half hour by following the scent of the rest of the colony. They’re now in a hive at one of my East Durham apiaries, settling in.

If you spot a cluster like this over the next few months, don’t sit on it — swarm season runs through to August and this time of year is when it’s busiest. Get in touch and I’ll usually be with you the same day.