BEE SWARM REMOVALS

What are Honey Bee Swarms?

A swarm is a temporary cluster of honey bees that is formed after a number of bees leave their parent colony (beehive).  The swarm will form a cluster that is designed to protect and maintain the organization of this newly formed group of bees.  Swarms can remain in one location for days until the bees take flight and leave the area.  When bees do leave and break cluster, they are likely departing to their newfound hive location. Unfortunately, researchers have found that the survival rate for swarms after they leave the parent bee colony is 1 in 6.  In other words, only 1 swarm in 6 will survive after taking up residence in their own hive.  A swarm's chances of survival can improve given the right conditions and attention from a good beekeeper.

There are different points to make about honey bee swarms and the swarm clusters that they form.

• Swarm clusters can take on many shapes and sizes.
• Hanging swarm clusters are as the name implies - the bees will cling tightly together from one anchoring point leaving the remainder of cluster hanging below it. These clusters can occur on tree branches, fences, bushes, posts and almost any object that the bees decide to organize their cluster on
• Swarms can also cluster along the surface of anything that they decide is suitable. Unlike hanging honey bee swarm clusters, these clusters are arranged to take advantage of the surface upon which they have organized....and might appear like a blanket of bees spread out - multiple layers of bees thick. There will not be a single anchor point that holds the weight of the swarm cluster
• Size: depending on the number of bees that leave the parent hive with the swarm, the size of a swarm cluster varies; from the size of a grapefruit to the size of 2 to 4 footballs combined....and there may be some swarms that are even larger

If you are located in the one of these Ohio counties - Auglaize, Hardin, Allen, Logan, Mercer, Marion, Shelby, or Union and have what you believe is a swarm on your property that needs to be removed and relocated, please don't hesitate and give us a call. 

Honey Bee Hives in Structures/Trees and Cutouts

The main focus of a honey bee swarm is to find a new, suitable location that serves as their new home (beehive).  Once a suitable crevice or opening is found and the swarm moves in, the swarm can now be considered to be a new colony. As mentioned, the swarm will focus on finding space that is protected and ample enough in size to meet their specifications.  New hive locations can be found in a variety of forms - old or new manmade buildings (Including crawl spaces, walls, and attics), abandoned steel tanks, old abandoned vehicles, and hollow trees.  The list of possibilities could be endless.  The main point is that if a space is attractive to a swarm of bees without a home, the bees will likely attempt to establish a new hive there.  Unfortunately, honey bees sometimes claim hive space in places where they are not desired.  That is where the word "cutout" enters into play as an option. I have completed numbers of cutouts in my beekeeping career.  Here are my takeaways on cutting out established beehives.

1. A cutout is labor intensive and will require a significant amount of time to complete properly.
2. Performing cutouts oftentimes requires special tools and other equipment.
3. A cutout is never simple and easy and is oftentimes hot and exhausting work. Planning in advance is required.
4. With any cutout performed on manmade structures, there is a risk of property damage. 
5. Carpentry and or handyman skills may be required of the beekeeper that performs the cutout.
6. I consider a bee vac to be an essential piece of equipment when performing cutouts.

I perform cutouts on a case by case basis. In some cases, I will ask for a fee depending on the nature and demands of performing the cutout. 

Please contact me for more details and inquiries.