Bee Hunting: Finding a Wild Colony of Honey Bees

One method of locating a colony of wild bees is called bee lining. In this video, we will join Prof. Tom Seeley as he tries to locate a wild colony of bees. He catches bees foraging on goldenrod and aster, feeds them concentrated sugar solution and determines the direction that they fly as they return to their colony. By painting identifying marks on some bees, he is able to measure their round trip time to get an estimate of the distance to the colony. With direction and distance established, he moves closer. Then, watching the bees, sees that they are living in a dead tree.

[@doobieman3241]

Ladies and gentlemen, retirement at its finest

[@Rossomak94]

This guy is the Bob Ross of bees

[@QuigleysBees]

I'm a first-year beekeeper and you've shown me one more aspect of the science of bees of which I was unaware. I knew it was possible to find a ferral bee colony but had no idea the process one would go about getting the job done. Looks like I've found one more book for my growing library about hive life.

[@one_smol_duck]

This might be the most wholesome video on the internet.

[@thomasseeley5498]

I cut the small squares of comb from a frame of dark old comb from one of my hives. The sugar solution is a 50-50 mix of sugar and hot water. The anise scent is purchased at a grocery store, as a little bottle of anise extract (alcohol solution of the oil of anise seeds).

[@karelianguy9917]

when i started to watch this video i thought that i wouldnt watch it more than like 1-2 minutes but it turnet that i watched whole video. so interesting and relaxing video.

[@randallsimpson1724]

Great Educational Videos. Wish it was played in 3rd grade at Schools. Our stewards of this planet. To come..

[@yakacm]

Had to check this wasn't uploaded on April 1st, Bee Hunting sounds like the title of a Monty Python sketch, lol. Looks very peaceful and rewarding, loved the close ups of the bees that was very interesting in itself, what a great 25 minutes, loved it.

[@christiansotterley3805]

Always start closer to the wood line if possible. Saves time. He was obviously demonstrating the method :) one of my favorite outdoor activities.

[@thomasseeley5498]

Thank YOU, Ron. Great to know that you enjoyed watching this video, and that you discovered a wild colony. Hope it survives winter, despite nesting in the open.

[@thepotato405]

"Actions building up here"

[@mohhor4998]

Actually i didn't think that it's going to be an exciting experience but to be honest thank you for this 25 minute video of the best I've ever seen . WOW i just love it

[@Lukedrummer]

This is by far the most peaceful, relaxing, awesome video I've watched in years

[@jplynch464]

My grandfather showed me how he lined bees in the 1950's. He was a french speaking native American that lined bees for local farmers in western Ma. until WW1 to capture colonies and queens for the farmer's around Conway.

[@quitucara]

Thanks!

[@kimbernard9250]

Wonderful video, thank you! Also, thank you for the great photography! I watch a lot of beekeeping and swarm catching videos. Your close-ups of the bees drinking and marking are the best I've ever seen.

[@bowlingbbabe]

here from Shawn woods. I am a subscriber to this channel now. this was really interesting and informative

[@jolox.]

Thank you for that very informative video! Nothing better than sitting in a beautiful field watching bees!

[@terradeloach8540]

This has to be the coolest thing I have seen in a very long time. I am just getting into beekeeping. I am beyond excited.

[@drmckee]

A very fascinating study. I could watch this type stuff for hours. Thanks for recording and for posting.