[waddy]

Just not quite as expected! We only moved into the property four weeks ago. We were going to get a hive next year and so have absolutely no equipment. The bees have taken up residence in a meter cupboard (one for a spring pump and not near the house). We know they weren't there when we moved in (meter was read) so haven't been there long. We would love to keep the bees if possible. What do we do? What equipment do we need? Obviously we would need help from someone experienced to move the bees. Is there anybody out there who could advise (south Somerset)? Didn't think bees would be our first livestock!


Helen



 

[Greenerlife]

http://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk/


Would be my first point of call!


I think personally you would bebetter off leaving it to them for now, but it will be an introduction to them, then join them and learn first from the experts!  Thebeekeepers association is always glad to have another keen keeper!

[Rosemary]

Nice surprise - most folk start with one or two livestock, not 20,000 

[Mammyshaz]

Wow, what a find! 

[Beeducked]

Definitely contact your local beekeepers!


In reality without any equipment you would be better letting your local beekeeper collect them and get them set up in a hive while you can get yourself set up for the next time. Join you local association and read everything you can. You can get yourselves a hive and hopefully you have a desirable spot and another swarm with be along soon!

[waddy]

It turns out the organiser of our local Somerset Beekeepers group lives just half a mile down the road in the same village (near our local rather fabulous pub/restaurant) He came this evening with his kit. It was awkward to get to the bees (Over two ditches, one with a stream in it and fighting through brambles and bracken). He had to take lots of insulation out of the box to get at the bees. It was then a matter of trying to coax them into a super. He thinks he has the queen and most of the workers but there were still workers flying around. He has left them to hopefully settle in the box. He said it looked like the start of a colony; not quite a full swarm (although there looked like lots of bees to me!). He also said they were remarkably calm considering he was tearing their home apart! We are keeping our fingers crossed for tomorrow to see if they have settled and not decided to fly somewhere else. If so our expert will then take them three miles from here so they won't try to reclaim the cupboard, and bring them back once we are set up. He is also going to see what equipment the group have spare. He has given us advice on the best place to put a hive. He wouldn't even take a couple of bottles of wine for all his efforts! I'm off now to join our local beekepers group. Hopefully our first livestock has found us! What a day!


Helen


 
 

[Greenerlife]

Beekeepers are lovely people!   


Ha ha!   Great news!

[HesterF]

Oh, that's all great news - that's so helpful of him. Would recommend you go on a course anyway - beekeeping is really complex and I found it so useful to go through it all systematically (normally I'll just read the book and make it up as I go along). I imagine they'll organise a beginners beekeeper course at the local association anyway so joining them is a great start. Have fun - I'm still new to it but can feel the addiction coming on!

H

[shygirl]

lucky you. id love bees oneday 

[waddy]

We still have bees!    Luckily they didn't fly off. Most were in the super but there were still loads in the cupboard. It took Rob our lovely beekeeper hours of patient work with a feather and then reluctantly with smoke to persuade them out and to go into the box. He said they were remarkably calm bees. he also said it was unusual to persuade a colony to move after they had found a home (and a nice insulated one at that!). Just when he thought the last few stragglers had one in and he had blocked the exit he turned around and there were quite a lot on his back! (He had had his top half in the cupboard persuading them out). I had to brush them off with some handy bamboo as they seemed determined to stick. He had to drive away with his bee suit on in the car as there was still the odd bee that got in with him! I will check with him later today to make sure he was alright. I am going to sign up for the next beekeeping course. I know we will get lots of support. We have put preparing an area for hives at the top of our priority list. We know we are so lucky to have these bees! Can't wait to have a proper area for them and get them back. 


Helen

[Beewyched]

That's brilliant news Helen     
 
My lucky swarm seems to have settled-in & have been really busy this week ...  that reminds me - I'd better go & have another look for the queen this weekend so I can get her marked - she's definitely in there as a good brood pattern is forming, just can't seem to be able to find her 
 

[littlelugs]

That's brilliant news Helen     
 
My lucky swarm seems to have settled-in & have been really busy this week ...  that reminds me - I'd better go & have another look for the queen this weekend so I can get her marked - she's definitely in there as a good brood pattern is forming, just can't seem to be able to find her 
 

That's because she's in my damn tree!

[Beewyched]

That's brilliant news Helen     
 
My lucky swarm seems to have settled-in & have been really busy this week ...  that reminds me - I'd better go & have another look for the queen this weekend so I can get her marked - she's definitely in there as a good brood pattern is forming, just can't seem to be able to find her 
 

That's because she's in my damn tree!

[waddy]

An update, our bees have flown! 
Rob did say we would be lucky if we managed to move them from an established home and keep them and he proved right. It is so disappointing as we thought we may have pulled it off. Oh well, it will give us more time to prepare properly for next year.


Helen

[Bionic]

Awww, thats such a shame but thats bees for you. Better luck next year