Hal R. asked -

> Hi Folks,
> Hopefully there entomologist on this list as we could use some advice.
> Our Wood Duck box near the pond was adopted as a new abode yesterday. The
> new occupants threw out the three weaned baby squirrels who retreated to a
> Flicker box further up the tree. This is a "wild" honey bee swarm, they
> seem a bit smaller then usual but its hard to judge from a distance. It
> seems certain at this point they will be staying. How can we make the box
> more secure for them?
> Do we need to decrease the size of the entry hole? Does the hive need
> ventilation holes drilled near the bottom. There are drain holes present
> now but the bottom of the box has at least 4" of fine pine sawdust that
> maybe blocking circulation of air. When is the most opportune time for such
> a venture? The box is 15 ft above the ground and we have many opossum &
> racoon.

Beekeeping has been in my family for three generations now, just so you know
my background. When my dad kept bees, invariably what appeared to be a wild
swarm was instead a swarm from someone's hives. Swarming is a natural part of
their life cycle so shouldn't come as a surprise. The golden rule is to
contact the nearest beekeeper in your area. He/she can then bring along a
super or two and tease the bees into the box. No big problem. Generally,
swarming bees are too intent on the act of swarming itself to be much of a
stinging threat. The bees have a better chance of survival under the care of
a beekeeper than in the wild these days. Besides, if they don't like the
nestbox, they will leave quickly. They are fairly particular about their
housing.

- Jack

Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca