Begin forwarded message:
From: Alexis B <[email protected]>
Date: April 29, 2015 5:00:22 PM EDT
To: Clark Park Tot Lot <[email protected]>
Subject: [TotLot] Lost: 20,000 pet bees
Hi folks:
Just in case anyone happens to see about 20,000 honey bees in a big
loving clump somewhere, feel free to reach out to me and I will
endeavor to arrange their retrieval. (I named all the bees "Chris,"
but they don't respond to their name when called.)
I help a friend with his three hives, located a few blocks from Clark
Park, and he reported today that one hive has swarmed.
Swarm season is from now until late June. There aren't really wild
honey bees, so if you see a swarm they are almost certainly someone's
pets. They will almost always go for a partly shaded area, in dappled
sunlight. They also might go for areas they perceive as "the edge of
the woods," like something near a field or an area without trees.
While they are often in trees, sometimes they'll show up on the side
of a house.
Something to know is that while swarms might look scary, what you are
observing is bees in their most docile state. They basically want to
keep track of each other and the queen they are absconding with. They
are trying to set up shop somewhere new, they've planned it all out,
and they have their bellies full of nectar, honey and pollen. Many
beekeepers in our neighborhood would love to come get a swarm, so I
can help get the word out.
My friend put a couple of swarm bait hives in strategic places in the
neighborhood, so he'll be keeping an eye to see if they end up there.
Feel free to share this message and my email address with your non-Tot
Lot neighbors.
Best wishes,
Alexis
