Swarm #1 “The moment they swarm is when the bees are at their most docile,” I said. Bill and I looked up at the mass of bees clustered under the portico of his house. “While they are in transit from their old residence to a new one, they are not protecting anything – not home,Continue reading “A Tale of Two Swarms”
Tag Archives: angry
Reputation
Sometimes, it is a good thing to be known for your work. When I was first trying to get into beekeeping, I talked to anyone I could find, trying to get the word out that I would pick up swarms and re-home them. I gave out my phone number, I made up cards and handedContinue reading “Reputation”
Love on the Battlefield
The setting of the National Cemetery at the Vicksburg National Military Park is one of the most peaceful ones imaginable. The rolling loess hillside, graves in neat rows, each section terraced to provide a continuity among the gathered dead. Oak trees, expanded to their full canopied width. Magnificent magnolia trees, filled with heady blossoms. AncientContinue reading “Love on the Battlefield”
Taking, Pried In my Work, with a Stinging Postscript
Back at it. (If you just want to read about me getting stung repeatedly, skip to that part of the story at the bottom of the entry, under follow-up:) I was determined today to remove the eave bracket and get at the honeybees inside. Suited up, grabbed the crowbar, and started crowbarring. The first partContinue reading “Taking, Pried In my Work, with a Stinging Postscript”
Vacuuming the Bees
You meet with the person in charge of the auditorium, and are immediately put at ease by his easygoing demeanor and easy smile. After showing you how to find the ladder, Mr. Artiss opens the door to let you hook up the vacuum. You have coordinated with a co-worker to meet you and hold theContinue reading “Vacuuming the Bees”
Cone Trap – Hardware Cloth
It makes sense. If bees can get back into the cone the way that they got out of it, you need to change the cone. The pokey entrance was not enough to dissuade (or you decided, like I did, to try the combination first) and you reinforce the cone with hardware cloth ($18 at theContinue reading “Cone Trap – Hardware Cloth”
A New Day
It is a bright, new day, and you have it all figured out. Overnight, you worried the idea over and over. And finally decided on a course of action. You are going to swap out your ShopVac for the one your wife has. Hers is more powerful, and won’t lose suction so easily. You haveContinue reading “A New Day”
Aluminum Screen
OK, you have decided to go with an aluminum screen cone. Good call. Aluminum screen is hardy, weather resistant, and a little bit pokey – so you can keep the bees from reentering. So now you are off to the local hardware store to buy an $8 roll – the smallest available – of aluminumContinue reading “Aluminum Screen”
Keep Working – Night-Time Edition
You really aren’t too bright, are you? Bees stung you through the suit, you flailed in response, dropping the vacuum and falling off the ladder. As you fell, you dislodged the bucket with the bees, which fell on top of you. Your screams could be heard for miles. Lee Robinson, who advised you not toContinue reading “Keep Working – Night-Time Edition”
Don’t Look – Long Way Down
I extended my 20′ ladder to its full length, and placed it against the front wall of Mr. Stephen Edmonson’s house. I clambered up, I stood on the top available rung, and still fell about four feet short of being able to peer into the hive. This beehive removal was going to be tricky. StephenContinue reading “Don’t Look – Long Way Down”
