Topic: Bees Help

[Jayb]

ooooooh I think I've got a swarm of bees in the garden! Whats best to do and how do I know its a swarm? (Hundreds all feeding on a large ivy bush in the hedge) I've looked up and there are several people in the area who collect swarms.

I want them!!!!!! but not set up :(

[small]

A proper beekeeper will answer better than me, but if they are visibly all feeding then I think you have just got a lot of bees. A swarm hangs together in a pulsating mass, very difficult to distinguish individuals except the dozen or so joining or leaving. We had one in July, about the size of a rugby ball, a local keeper came and collected the swarm by knocking the mass off into a box. Fascinating but rather creepy.

[tonybloke]

it sounds like you have just got a lot of bees feeding on the ivy, on a good day they'll be working the ivy like mad at this time of year!!
as 'small' said earlier, a real swarm is one mass of bees and you'd know if you saw one!! ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

A swarm is a solid mass of bees in the most literal sense. You've got loads of bees on your ivy, which isn't the same thing at all. It's a common mistake though. You rarely see a swarm after July, and one this late is virtually unheard of.

http://www.amanita-photolibrary.co.uk/photo_library/BI_invertebrates/bee_swarm_gb02.htm

[Jayb]

Thanks all, guess I got over excited. But what a joy to see and hear, watched them all for ages, so busy and sooo many.