Swarm catching devices and extendable poles.

[Steve7962]

Well I’m late to the party, but thought I would add my 2 pence.

Whilst fishing last week, as I regular do my thought often gravitate around how I want to keep my bees as such when I had a bit of a eureka moment. It dawned on my that my extendable landing net handle would make an ideal handle for collecting swarms from trees.

Here a link to my specific landing net handle, I can vouch that it’s strong with little flex. I plan to add a square bucket via a heavy duty hinge that’s attached to a old spare spreader block(so when lowering the bucket will remain vertical) and attach a hook that sits 30cm above the bucket to enable branches to be rattled to shake the bees off.

https://gardnertackle.co.uk/product/specialist-extending-landing-net-handle/

 

[ericbeaumont]

plan to add a square bucket via a heavy duty hinge

Try it with the net first: cheaper and lighter.

 

[Sutty]

I've tried with a net - would have to bend it to a better angle and catches on twigs badly

 

[Steve7962]

Try it with the net first: cheaper and lighter.

My thoughts were that I could us a square bucket so I could have an entrance disc on the side and I could put a lid on it to transport a caught swarm to a new site.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Try it with the net first

wouldn't the bees just use the holes?

 

[oxnatbees]

I wonder if a telescopic pole for a swimming pool brush/net might do the job?

James

Yes. I used one once, swarm up very high tree. The property owners offered it ("we don'tceven have a pool, the previous occupants left it behind"). I noticed the aluminium pole was marvellosly light. It wasn't ideal as the top of the net wasn't closed, so it took a few attempts to get them, but it was the only thing around longer than my water bottle on a pole. It worked, more or less, and had a long reach.

 

[Sutty]

wouldn't the bees just use the holes?

Carp nets are a very fine mesh