What does a swarm of bees look like?
The photograph top left shows a swarm of bees which had landed on a post box. With careful use of smoke, they were perusaded to leave the post box and enter a special swarm collection box, the only side-effect being some slightly smokey smelling post heading off accross the UK. The swarm is persuaded to enter the swarm collection box by ensuring that the queen is in it – the rest of the bees will follow (in theory). The box was then removed later in the evening when all of the bees had settled down. This is why two visits are normally required to properly remove a swarm of bees. The photograph middle left shows a swarm of bees that had settled in a rose bush – this was a much easier removal as they were only a couple of feet off the ground. The swarm collection box was simply put around them and the bush given a smart jolt – the bees gently fell into the box, the lid was put on, and all that remained to do was to wait for the bees to settle down for the evening. The bottom photo shows
