So I'm in the middle of ironing some clothes when my doorbell rings. It's Antonio, the nice guy who helped put in our yard last year. He's been working out back for a few hours today, and he tells me in his kind, broken English that there are "lots of bees" out back. I thought he meant hornets or wasps, since we have had a few of those this spring. I went out on my deck, and sticking to my rain gutter was the most enormous swarm of bees I have ever personally seen in my life. I could not believe how many there were. Hundreds and hundreds. It was crazy. But beautiful, too.
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05/19/2009
Since I pretty much don't know anything about honeybees, I called the pest control company who told me that it was illegal for them to deal with honeybees. They referred me to a beekeeper who asked me a bunch of questions, one of which was "Are there still the same amount out there?" I had been on the deck TWO MINUTES earlier, and when I went back out I was amazed to see only one or two hundred left. They had come and gone so quickly! Now it's been 10-15 minutes, and there is not a SINGLE bee out there. The beekeeper said that the bees had been "displaced" and were looking to set up a new hive. When the queen decided that my house wasn't a suitable spot, she moved on. The straggling bees only stuck around as long as the queen's scent lingered.
Fascinating. Shoulda grabbed my camera sooner...when I finally did, nearly all of the bees were already following the queen to her next stop.
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wow! that's so cool! i wish i could have seen it!
Posted by: Rachel | 05/19/2009 at 02:51 PM
That's crazy. Maybe it's the swarm of bees that ran away from my friends hive. Although, that was in PA so prolly not. But still, bees shouldn't just up and leave like that....
Posted by: Andrea | 05/20/2009 at 10:26 AM
Wow, that's crazy! I bet it was cool to see. I'm glad they left before they got you or your kids! :)
Posted by: Michelle | 05/20/2009 at 12:30 PM
Jon's parents had some decide to pick a tree in their yard to stay in. It was pretty amazing how many bees there really were for one hive. It must have been pretty sweet to see them for a while. I am glad they decided not to stay.
Posted by: Kanien | 05/21/2009 at 07:47 PM
Cute blog Mindy! I found you off my brother and sister-in-law's blog The Sarver Play by Play. We have one too kharringtonfamily.blogspot.com
I know you and blogspot broke up but you're still welcome to visit. lol
Charlotte
Posted by: Charlotte | 05/24/2009 at 10:58 AM
i HAD A SWARM on my yard once it was crazy
Posted by: oysterblogger | 06/08/2009 at 03:02 PM