Watch a swarm move into a trap - start to finish!

We were lucky enough to notice when a swarm was moving in to the trap behind our house, and caught the whole process on video!
Visit our website: www.hiddenspringapiaries.com/

[@dianemilligan7370]

What drew them to that box? Where did they come from? Will this be the location of their hive? You say trap, so does that mean they cannot get back out?

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

The swarm would have left another colony of bees likely 2 days before this. The swarm will then hang in a tree for a while as they send out scouts to investigate the area for good nesting spots. Our trap is the ideal size inside and has the right sized entrance at the best spot, so it ranks very highly on their list of potential places to move into. We also have a frame of old comb in there from another hive as well as a scent attractant (Swarm Commander) that helps the first scouts find the trap in the first place. We try not to leave the swarms hang for very long, the longer you wait the heavier they get. Typically we will move them to their permanent home the same evening we catch them.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

"Swarm Trap" is the technical term, but isn't perfect. "Nest Box" is close as well, but the bees will be moved from this spot and transferred to standard beehives, so it isn't quite right either.

[@dianemilligan7370]

@@HiddenSpringApiaries This all so interesting - actually fascinating! Thank you for providing this education, Bees are such complex and brilliant creatures.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

The frame is in there almost solely for the scent of it - smelling wax makes the scouts think a beehive lived here before, which to them means a beehive could probably live here again and therefore increases the chances of the swarm coming. When they move in they cluster in a ball hanging from the lid or empty foundationless frames we have in there and start drawing new comb to use.

[@echopeus22]

@@HiddenSpringApiaries so you create a "bee house" with optimal conditions and if there's a on edge colony thats swarmed they'll take the bait. - very cool

[@ExTess]

"...and now we hope they're gentle." is the worst statement to hear from a man being approached by a swarm of bees.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Lol!

[@rosenoir4865]

Thank you. I almost got mad as if I was there.

[@jimhendrix7776]

I got a swarm move into 1 of my old hives and boi were they aggressive lol!!! Sting after sting after sting lol

[@TimeSurfer206]

I have never had a problem with Honeybees. Yellowjackets are a different matter, although they, too, can be reasonable, if we give them some respect. I prefer to only extinguish those when absolutely necessary, as they, too, are vital.

[@mattpetty1]

Back in 1980, I was eating lunch in a park near my work, reading a book. I noticed the sounds of people around me got very quiet. I had not noticed they had moved away. The sound was replaced by a lot of buzzing and when I looked up, I was in the middle of a huge swarm of bees. Knowing they won't hurt me, I just sat there and really enjoyed the experience . So much so I still recall everything about it to this day.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It is hard to describe the noise of it, let alone the feeling. Sounds like a neat experience.

[@JohnAFowler]

I have a Red Bud tree in my front yard and when in bloom, I stand beneath it and feel the hum and the breeze from their wings. I love fresh honey. Just bought 2 kg jars of wildflower, 1 kg jar of blueberry and a small jar of buckwheat. $70 deal is use it my tea to level out my sugar.

[@snochicka]

Ah, the good old days before Africanized bees became a thing.

[@rosenoir4865]

Yeah...I'd have tears in my eyes and be too scared to move. I'm always nervous about the Africanized bee swarm issue.

[@TimeSurfer206]

BIE (Before Internet Era) I did the same thing that one kid who is deservedly famous did: I found a swarm, gently and slowly picked up the Queen and gently cupped her in my fist, Her swarm gathered onto my arm, and as far as they were concerned, I was just a tree that mommy was on. It's all in how you approach them. They approved of the Hive Box I took them to.

[@ivanphillips4399]

Man that is a once in a lifetime experience to actually “bee” standing right in the middle of a swarm as they move into your swarm box totally jealous lol.. congrats!

[@SaltyBeeLady]

Amen!

[@zerocalvin]

Bee: becareful sisters, there is this wierd ape nearby... Bee 2: is he dangerous? Bee: oh no, he harmless, just wierd looking...

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

You're lucky I AM weird looking or I may have taken offense to that :)

[@Lone-Wolf87]

That right there is beautiful. Not too many people can enjoy an event as beautiful as that. Nature is mind blowing. 👍👍👍🐝 🐝 🐝

[@hugodunsany5576]

"WHAT? This looks like a job for--DR. BEEEEEEES!"

[@kevbot805]

What's this? A youtube comment woefully underpopulated by bees? A large influx of BEES should help!

[@KBTW1]

@@kevbot805 'ARGH. THE SITUATION HAS BEEN MADE WORSE BY THE INTRODUCTION OF YET MORE BEES!!'

[@noahjames4960]

My stuff sea cow should put a stop to that.

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

I’ve caught swarms before but it’s always been like a Christmas stocking where you wake up one morning and your stocking is full lol but this I’ve never had the pleasure of witnessing !!! Fabulous video!!!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It is a lot of fun - once you've watched enough scouting it gets easier to predict if/when a swarm will move and ensure that you're present for the spectacle.

[@Makermook]

I've never caught a swarm, so if I saw that at my trap, I'd spend 15 minutes squealing like a little girl. Great video!

[@kckrye]

There is nothing like it. So fun to be in the middle of.

[@beesandtractors]

Me too!

[@mrcountry]

I would spend hours

[@marydawkins4190]

Absolutely fascinating. I love how they clump together while waiting for further instructions or space. I've experienced hungry bees in the fall around my hummingbird feeders. I've fed them a rich sugar water and they go through it in just hours. And not one bite. They were so docile I could handle them a bit with no worries. I love them!!

[@MrMagicDennisWeir]

Bees don't bite they sting!

[@kevinhunter5202]

That's pretty darn impressive. I have a healthy respect for bees but im not about to grab a handful and admire up close and personal. That was mind blowing.

[@girijaedwards]

The best video I’ve seen of a swarming hive ~well done and calmly spoken throughout! Thanks !

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mistymountaintraveladventures]

Absolutely Amazing! Thanks for filming this and sharing it too!

[@bookworm81151]

Thank you!!! That was very cool to see a swam move in. I have my 1st swarm trap out and hoping for my first catch. Btw, the video itself with your narrative was outstanding. Thanks again.

[@martindesomma9623]

Thank you for providing this video. This was the most awesome thing I have ever seen. This is my second year of beekeeping and I plan to put up swarm traps this spring. Hopefully I will get to witness this beautiful event.

[@user-ph1vo6cy5t]

Thanks for the fascinating video with commentary. BTW, your yard looks really nice.

[@shawnnewcomer4879]

Must be nice to move into a new place in 20 minutes or less😂

[@user-or1lu3ku3m]

With 5000 of your family

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

More like 12,000 - 15,000. This was a large swarm.

[@Diviniteh]

I wasn't expecting to watch something like this from start to finish but I'm really glad I did. Thank you for uploading this!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed. We have another swarm capture video (from a swarm that just moved in yesterday) coming out later this week, you may find it interesting as well.

[@carolewarner101]

I never tire of seeing a swarm like that. I've only been in the middle of three, and each time my heart was pounding out of my chest even though I knew they weren't interested in me and would likely completely ignore me which they did. Not a single sting out of any of them. The sound in the middle of a swarm is soooo loud! Bees are truly a miracle to behold... Thanks for sharing!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It's certainly an experience that is never mundane!

[@lordsylph414]

Thanks! The sound alone was enough to give me a low level panic attack Nothing quite like immersion therapy to shake off an old fear 😱

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It is a bit intimidating that's for sure. 12,000 - 15,000 flying spicy coffee beans around you isn't something you get used to.

[@evicol2117]

It's like a single consciousness. "Everything for the hive" or "One for all, for all is one." Fascinating.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

That's right. It's a superorganism

[@redwolfmedia1276]

Literally one of the coolest things I've seen. Thanks for sharing! It'd been awesome if you could've had a camera set up on just the entrance to catch how soon the Queen enters. Does she enter close to the beginning or mid way through,etc. ? Excellent catch!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

I've tried that, but the camera gets covered with bees so it doesn't work out, good idea though. Glad you enjoyed

[@louisegogel7973]

@@HiddenSpringApiaries You’d have to have the camera far enough away and able to zoom in well to have that chance I would think.

[@johndehaan2764]

Really nice to see a swarm negotiating their new home, this happened to me twice but I am no apiarist. Nevertheless, this is one of those expressions of nature that reminds us that there is a whole lot more going on than most people realise.

[@georgekoopman7912]

Awesome video! Not to often that I pull each member of my family in to watch a video but this was just so fascinating! Thanks for sharing!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

That's high praise. Glad you enjoyed.

[@doreenblakely9089]

Awesome! I am a new beekeeper and always looking for more ways to learn. Great job!

[@caz4523]

Awesome video...just caught my first swarm but did not get to see them move in...

[@mikeydshoneybees9194]

Thanks so much for sharing this. Don't often get the privilege of seeing this process all the way through. Almost got to see one all the way through last week. Never get tired of seeing this wonder of nature.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

A small blessing of quarantine - being able to watch my backyard trap like a hawk

[@kerrynye3752]

Was up at Palomar Mountain back in the '80s walking across a HUGE valley of chest-high wildflowers. The noise of the pollinators was DEAFENING!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

When they find something good, they come in full force. That would be neat to see sometime.

[@tammy-lynnstewart5677]

That was cool! Thank you for the upload!

[@raterus]

I thought this was just going to be a time-lapse from the thumbnail, but no, you literally saw it coming, started filming and "experienced" a swarm like a boss. I'm jealous!

[@cekfraun]

This is fascinating! Thanks for showing this amazing event. I'm afraid of bees when I encounter them in person, but I could watch these bees on a video all day.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Please do 😁

[@oliviawilson9371]

Amazing video for a beginner bee keeper! The narration was great and very informative!

[@nmtumbleweed5320]

Amazing! What a beautiful sight🥰

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Brilliant video, thanks so much. One of the many miracles of nature.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

I never get tired of catching a swarm or watching them organize such a spectacle!!! Thanks!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Agreed.

[@ilovecoffebreaks9822]

Great video. Thanks for making it!

[@jonshannon3394]

Super cool. How lucky you were to experience it, and us that you video'd it. Thanks.

[@MsCatco]

Thank you for sharing this amazing video. So cool!!!

[@m.c.darwin1897]

He got a handful of bees lmao this was great

[@marieschlatter9245]

This was totally awesome to watch. Thanks for sharing!

[@markmoil3012]

Wow...That was so cool...Thank you for sharing this !

[@gamblerfls]

Bees are like cats, they can't see a box they want to go in.

[@Chris-yo4ks]

There are fewer things more cool than standing in the middle of a swarm in flight

[@essiethomas2250]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@shermanhoman6666]

"...walk slowly..." "Bees landing on my face and my hands...."

[@martinbee772]

That was way cool. Thank you for sharing

[@Sentarry]

Even more impressive at 2x the speed. Commentary sounds funny too. 😂

[@GingerNinja1]

Now THAT'S a swarm!!😄Loved this. Thanks for sharing! 💖

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Our pleasure, glad you enjoyed.

[@jkbeekeeper9459]

Good work sir.👍🏼🌹

[@pankajmakwana2300]

I have come across some swarms in a small woodland and I think they have no home. Thank you, I think it would be amazing to set up a hive for them to move into, seems a large swarm and they are foraging, friendly and worth having a go, I will keep you posted..God bless you to keep posting more.🙂

[@beesandtractors]

That was awesome! I can't wait catch my 1st swarm...I hope I'm home to see it like that. Thanks for sharing

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Pretty much the only good thing about lockdown was that I could watch my swarm trap like a hawk. Good luck on catching your own!

[@michaelfike7542]

I have watched several swarms move into boxes and it still an amazing experience every time. Great video and and nice catch. ❤🐝🐝🐝

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thank you

[@just_cubes6101]

These videos make me wanna start keeping a beehive when im older. Bad idea im a whinebaby when im getting stung.

[@paulstanding7267]

Bees will only sting if threatened as once they sting you they die wasps on the other hand will sting the crap out of you

[@gw7911]

Me too. I’m allergic too lol

[@JR-kk6ce]

Wow! Amazing! This is the coolest bee video I have ever seen. Thanks so much for it!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LeroyBrown]

Great video, I've always wanted to see this. My hive was established by a swarm 10 months ago. I missed seeing them move in like this though. TY

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It is quite the experience! Glad you enjoyed the video, good luck with your bees.

[@amandaz9762]

Incredible! Absolutely incredible! 😍

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thank you so much!!

[@broomefarms8841]

Great video buddy I've caught a lot of swarms but never got any on video I wish more people could experience this in person absolutely amazing

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It's almost surreal being enveloped by thousands on thousands of stinging insects that pay no attention to you.

[@risingsons6336]

Driving through my neighborhood a week ago, I spotted a swarm. Knowing what was happening (as I’m a novice beekeeper), I had time to return home to get a brood box and was able to wrangle the swarm. It was fascinating watching the entire event unfold.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

I have a bee phobia but I can still appreciate the wonder of it.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It is hard not to - it is almost entrancing.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

@@HiddenSpringApiaries Yes, watching bees is kind of like watching a camp fire.

[@markarnill5096]

Lovely size to start with I love it when a swarm turns up had 4 swarms in my traps and one turn up in one of my trees in the garden

[@scottmcgregor8303]

Watching that was a thing of beauty, I absolutely loved it!! Greetings from Scotland 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Yay! Thanks for the kind words

[@xxxXXXjdXXXxxx]

This is one of the coolest videos I've seen in a while. Thanks for sharing this!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@superwhuffo1]

What an awesome way to end my long day.. thanks 👍😊

[@seamus6994]

Now, How Cool was THAT?!!

[@traveler3626]

Absolutely amazing! Thanks!

[@marcuspoe9353]

nice footage bud, dont really get to catch it on vid often, seen it many time but you got it just right.

[@bobsmith1262]

AWESOME video!!! That's fantastic!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thanks Bob, glad you enjoyed!

[@sarkybugger5009]

Wow! Fascinating stuff. Thanks for posting this.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kckrye]

I've had a swarm move into my 3 deep stack and another swarm show up right after who found their home was already taken. Pretty cool!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

That's crazy! They really said "I'll take that" yoink

[@kckrye]

@@HiddenSpringApiaries The 1st swarm was huge. The 2nd was just as big. Its why I leave my empties out every year. Love swarm season! They love that old stinky comb!

[@lordchagrin1378]

great video, that was very cool to watch.

[@aanadyia4582]

This video is awesome and makes me so excited! Putting. My first swarm trap in my backyard this year too!!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

It's a lot of fun. If you think you're excited now, wait till you see the first scouts. Are you using swarm commander or another attractant?

[@kennyc388]

My next project: Building a nest box for my property. Lots of flowers, trees and shrubs. Great video....thank you !!!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqnOhoqvnd9kf6M Here is our process overview. You need to have a plan in place for what is going to happen if you do catch a swarm as well, keep that in mind.

[@FreeRangeArtFarm]

That's so cool. We are hoping to catch our first swarm this season.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Good luck!

[@rodagrail3231]

So ...stupid question!!!...how did u know they were coming? This is really awesome...I'm hooked now!!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Not a stupid question, a perfectly valid question. Another swarm capture video of ours shows it a bit more clearly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqikgmmVbK-ZZs0 Essentially you can watch the scouting activity. If it reaches a crescendo then suddenly drops off to nothing, it normally means the swarm has taken flight and is on the way.

[@rodagrail3231]

@@HiddenSpringApiaries this is soo interesting...thank u...will watch now

[@sgt_retiredcharlie4102]

This is awesome. I was always under the impression you had to put a swarm trap like 15-20 feet in the air. I can't believe you caught them at 4-5 feet up. This gives me hope that I can catch my own swarm! Especially since this swarm came in the middle of May! Love the video bro! Great job.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

I have no doubt if you had two traps of the same design, one hung at 5 feet and the other at 15 feet, that they would move into the 15 foot one every time, Tom Seeley's research shows that. However it isn't easy or safe to hang traps that high in most cases, so at 5 foot they go. It seems to us that if everything else about the trap is right, the height isn't a dealbreaker. 17 swarms caught from 17 traps hung at this height last year is some good real-world proof of that.

[@naomi7546]

Fascinating, Thankyou for sharing.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Our pleasure!

[@gregraymond428]

Yes mate I did enjoy your video. Very interesting indeed. Shoutout from Australia by the way. Bees are so critical to our lives. No bees, no food. We got all types of honey at our local Milk Bar. Organic, Probiotic, Manuka etc. But I love honey on toast for breakfast, and on my Porridge too. Yummy. Thanks again mate.👍🇦🇺😁🤪☮️

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Agreed, bees are very very important. My favorite way to eat honey right now is on vanilla ice cream. Hard to go wrong with it though.

[@BigTonyGee]

This bud so educational! Thanks, glad I stumbled on this video. 👍🏻

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Fatschwab]

Very cool video. Thx for sharing.

[@MegaKillerwatt]

That's just cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@scottmartin356]

My father used to collect bees and I would help- so nice that you present the gentle side of this!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Trapping is a whole lot easier than chasing the swarms and trying to shake them into boxes. Set it and forget it.

[@Barbara_Schulz]

Nasonoph per JP the beeman. They also use lemon grass oil on a q-tip as a lure. Love the March.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Right. The term for the locator pheromone is "Nasonov"

[@PedanticNo1]

I wore earbuds for maximum immersion.

[@waynegoebel395]

Thank you for sharing that. Fascinating video.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.

[@warrenmorgan304]

I appreciate this video so much, this has just been truly fascinating and beautiful to watch. Your deep understanding of bee nature is just astonishing. I just wanted to thank you for this video before I made my obligatory smart ass KZbin comment.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thank you for the kind words - we're still learning just like everyone else. "The Honeybee Democracy" by Thomas Seeley is the basis for most of my knowledge on swarming.

[@SMX815]

Great video & I have seen a bees nest in an electric box they were very passive thank goodness 👍

[@PastorIhaza]

Thanks. Fascinating... to watch! I was able to get a Beekeeper, from local Association to take the hive.... Had a lot of honey, too. Mr. Grooms and his associate did a great job extracting the Bees. I learned a lot. So awesome to watch videos, then experience it in real life..... A Wonderful Learning Experience 💕 They did not charge us, as suggested by one of the comments. Thanks🇺🇸

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@northsky6544]

Really Beautiful!!!

[@OmegaProxy]

I’ve never seen a swarm that thick. Very cool.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Agreed

[@kayvoncrenshaw1799]

HERE IS THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION: Will you go to Heaven when you die? Here's a quick test: Have you ever lied, stolen, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said, ”Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” if you have done these things, God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart and the Bible warns that one day God will punish you in a terrible place called H***. But God is not willing that any should perish. Sinners broke God's law and Jesus paid their fine. This means that God can legally dismiss their case: ”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Then Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death. Today, repent and trust Jesus, and God will give you eternal life as a free gift. Then read the Bible daily and obey it. God will never fail you!

[@OmegaProxy]

@@kayvoncrenshaw1799 you and Jesus can buzz off. I am being polite for the pun. This isn’t the place for your nonsense.

[@michaelcouvillon8807]

Thanks for sharing. Great video

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thank you!

[@TheScalysnake]

Insane, amazing.

[@stephaniavanvolkenburg5424]

that is so awesome. ty for recording and sharing

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@meranberwyck7775]

As a former beekeeper, some people would call you 'brave', but actually, you are respectful.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Good description.

[@shawnh8754]

Excellent video. I have family that put out swarm traps for me. I'll share this with them so they can see what's going on in their backyard!

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you found use for it! This video of ours shows scouting activity more clearly, they may be interested in that as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqikgmmVbK-ZZs0

[@mikebadilla6970]

Thanks very much

[@sunriseriverquail4000]

Truly amazing video I can’t wait to catch my own

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thanks! Good luck

[@harrymatthews1097]

Great video

[@rxlo1062]

That was amazing 👍

[@thegipsygardener]

This is amazing.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Glad you enjoyed

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Subscribed, thank you for this!

[@louisegogel7973]

same, and sharing this video with my four children and on Face Book.

[@HiddenSpringApiaries]

Thank you!

[@JeffGillis1]

Excellent video!!

[@cecilandrews7479]

Thats a really nice swarm. I caught two swarms this year but only about half that size