Catching a Swarm in My Shed: The Queen's Great Escape!

Today, I have a thrilling tale to share about a recent adventure with a swarm of bees in my shed.

It all started when we thought of having a little fun competition. The challenge was to spot the queen bee as she flew. John zoomed in with the camera, and the prize for spotting her? A free pot of honey from yours truly! But the real question was, where were these bees going to land? To my surprise, they decided to go into the shed. And not just anywhere in the shed, but in a cardboard box! Oh, the audacity of these little creatures!

This wasn't just any swarm; it was a big one. And the last thing I needed was them setting up shop in my shed. I contemplated putting another box nearby, hoping they'd choose that instead. But bees have a mind of their own, and they seemed pretty set on that cardboard box.

As I tried to figure out my next move, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Ladies, what are you doing?!" I considered shaking some of the bees into a new box, hoping they'd decide to stay there. But there's always the risk of them flying away when disturbed too early. It's a delicate balance between letting them settle and not letting them waste resources building a honeycomb where you don't want it.

Determined to give it a shot, I prepared to transfer some of the bees. But then, a golden opportunity presented itself. The queen bee was right there, on a frame! I quickly reached for my queen cage, hoping to secure her. But alas, she was too fast for me. Before I knew it, she had flown off, leaving me in utter disbelief. It was a close call, and I couldn't help but feel a bit defeated.

Despite the setback, I decided to shake the bees into the new box anyway, hoping they'd settle there. As I observed them, I noticed some bees returning to the frame where the queen had been. Perhaps they could still smell her presence. I placed the frame near the new box, hoping it would entice them.

After all the excitement, I took a moment to reflect. Beekeeping is full of unexpected challenges and surprises. But it's also incredibly rewarding. Whether the bees decide to stay in the new box or not, I'm grateful for the experience and the lessons learned.

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