Bee Swarm in Tree
Looking for Somewhere Permanent

When bees swarm, they land somewhere temporarily, in a cluster, often bee swarm in tree, while they send out scouts to find a new permanent location. This is the point when the beekeeper is often called to collect the swarm.

If the cluster forms on a tree branch, as long at it isn't too high up in the tree and can be reached with a ladder, it is one of the easier places from which to collect a swarm.

I often use a cardboard box. I put the box underneath the swarm and give it a good shake. The swarm falls into the box, I close the lid and climb down the ladder as quickly as I can. If I have a hive set up on the ground I will empty the bees in front of the hive. If I'm intending to take the swarm away in the cardboard box, I put the box on the ground, upside down, with a stone underneath to allow flying bees to enter.

Some of the worker bees will stand near the opening and fan their pheromone up into the air to signal to the flying bees where everyone else is, so that all the bees find there way back.

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