Ringing a bell to settle a swarm - still a seductive idea by: JC
There's a certain magic in the idea that beating a can will settle a swarm. When we found a swarm in a tree where we live, we called an apiarist who came over to capture it.
As we approached the swarm it began to break up and was swirling in the air holding its own in the gusty wind. The beekeeper asked if we could find an old tin.
Using an old tea caddy which we'd found in the garage, he proceeded to beat it. The swarm began to thicken around him and then to settled once more on the tree branch. From there he carefully brushed the swarm into the lid of the hive he had with him and the rest of the swarm collected at the entrance to the hive.
Coincidence? More than likely, but seeing this for the first time there was something magical about the whole process enough for lingering doubt that beating the can entranced the swarm to settle.
