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Adventures in Beekeeping
How to Catch a Swarm
Of Bees on Your Homestead
Adventures in beekeeping sometimes having to catch a swarm of honey bees.
Learn to do that, and you will increase the number of hives on your homestead and benefit from the extra honey they will provide.
Or keep them in a top bar beehive you build yourself and harvest the extra beeswax for candles or homemade lotions you can sell.
Learning to capture a honeybee swarming is a skill every homestead beekeeper should develop.
Swarming will happen naturally if you are taking good care of your bees.
It only stands to reason that they will multiply and outgrow their old hive.
Then one day you walk outside and see a swarm of bees hanging from the limb of a nearby tree, or even worse, the limb of a neighbor's tree.
So what do you do?
You'll need to catch a swarm as soon as possible, while the bees are still relatively docile.
Leave that swarm for too long, and they'll likely be irritable and much more difficult to work with.
So as soon as you notice the swarm, take action.
But Bee Ware in
Your Adventures in Beekeeping!
If you don't have the proper equipment, don't attempt to catch a swarm yourself.
Instead, contact your local beekeepers association.
Usually, there is someone in your area who catches swarms for a living.
When You Should Leave Them Bee...
If you see a swarm on the ground, on a water meter or in a tire, the swarm is likely to be made up of Africanized bees.
They'll be mean, and you won't want to mess with them.
Call an exterminator instead, or if you do have protective clothing, douse the swarm with soapy water:
one cup of Dawn dishwashing liquid for one gallon of water.
Adventures in Beekeeping
Ready to Catch a Swarm?
Here's what you will need:
- Beekeeper's veil and hat - can be found here
- Gloves
- Smoker
- One jar of sugar water
- One cardboard box
- Swarm catching net - if the swarm is high off the ground
- Duct tape
- Screening or hardware cloth
- A temporary stand for your box
Adventures in Beekeeping
Prepare Your Temporary Hive
For When You Catch a Swarm
Your cardboard box will provide temporary housing for your swarm until you can get them into a hive.
Cut a hole in the front of your box that is about two inches in diameter.
Adventures in Beekeeping
Gear Up
Always wear your hat, veil and gloves when you plan to catch a swarm.
You never know when you will come across Africanized bees, who can be mean.
If at all possible, avoid getting stung.
Adventures in Beekeeping Down Low
If the Swarm is Low Enough to Reach
Catch a swarm by opening the lids of your box and holding it as far under the swarm as possible.
If the swarm is on a limb, give the limb a good hard shake or two.
Then hold the box there for at least two minutes to allow most of the bees to fall into the box.
Then gently lower the box and set it up on your stand.
The box needs to be off the ground, but it must also set firmly in place so that it does not topple over.
Adventures in Beekeeping Up High
How to Catch a Swarm that is High Up
If the swarm is more than 100 feet up, you won't be able to catch it.
But to catch a swarm that is lower, use a swarm catching net on an extended pole.
Again hold the net as far under the swarm as possible and give the tree branch a strong knock.
Try to keep the pole as vertical as possible.
Then while keeping the pole vertical, slowly lower it until you bring your swarm safely down.
Gently shake the contents of the net into your cardboard box.
Adventures in Beekeeping
Containing Your Bees
Gently brush the bees off the lid and into the box.
Tape the lid of the box shut with the duct tape.
Then set the box back on the stand.
Go away and allow the box to sit for several hours until dusk.
The remaining bees that are loose will find their way into the box through the small hole at the front of the box.
To keep the bees from getting hot, partially cover the box with a sheet.
In the evening, come back and cover the hole with a screen to keep the bees from escaping.
Then introduce them to your new beehive.
More Helpful Information on Keeping Bees
A great source of beekeeping supplies, information and ready-made beehives can be found by
clicking here.
Learn more about beekeeping with this e-book.
Want to learn how to stop the progression of Africanized or "killer" bees?
Become a beekeeper! Learn how.
Build your own backyard beehive. Here's how.
If you're ready to have your own source of the most healthful, nutritious honey available, consider becoming a homestead beekeeper.
Here's how.
A beekeeper can make money selling honey as well as a self-reliant source of food.
Here are other ways you can earn income off your land.
Harvest beeswax to make your own bath products.
Learn how.
Your own harvested beeswax can also be used to make your own candles.
Sell honey and other products at craft fairs.
Here's how.
Bees are not only a way to a far improved homesteading garden, they are also industrious, highly organized insects.
Learn about the different members of the bee colony.
Without the right equipment, beekeeping can be an extremely unpleasant task.
Here is a list of the important Beekeeping equipment you need to get started.
The right location for your bees is as important as the equipment you have on hand.
Here are some tips on finding the right location for your colony of bees.
Once you are an experienced homesteading beekeeper, you might want to increase your bee population by catching swarms.
Learn how.
Do you think you're ready to start beekeeping, but you don't know where to begin?
Here are some tips on getting started.
Is spring around the corner? These beekeeping basics will ensure your bees will survive the end of winter and produce plenty of honey for your this spring and summer.
Read more.
To keep bees you need the right housing to keep them happy and healthy.
Learn more.
Colony collapse disorder is a serious problem, causing hundreds of thousands of bees each year to simply vanish.
Fortunately, we homesteaders can ensure bees will survive for years to come.
Learn more.
Learn a low-cost way of building your own hive for in-comb honey.
Learn more.
Bees normally will do just fine in the winter, but a little extra help on your part will ensure a strong, healthy hive.
Learn more.
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