We have a swarm of honeybees in our mulberry tree that arrived several weeks ago. Thinking they would fly away, we left them alone. They are now producing comb and are quite busy in our gardens! Would like to keep them, and have read that they won't make much honey as it's so late in the season, but our growing season here in zone 7 is longer than in many areas. Would like suggestions as to how to save them as they will probably die unprotected this winter. They are approximately 6 feet above the ground and are on a very thick large branch. Will they need to be fed through the winter? Any help would be appreciated.

-- (ktthegardener@yahoo.com), September 05, 2000

Answers

This is a very late swarm that I have never witnessed myself ! It would seem by the evidence here in Virginia that the bees have found a way to overcome the mite problem and are making a comeback as we have hundreds of new wild bee trees ! I'm so excited ! You will need some help to save yours this late in the year. Contact your local animal control to find a local beekeeeper. Than they will need a hive brood box and they will need to be fed, Their chances of making it would be slim to none this late without help. Aren't they beautiful ! Wish I could help more but pictures might also be a way of perserving the memory of the day the bees came to your tree. I think you are so lucky ! Best Wishes !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), September 06, 2000.

Joel is right. Find a beekeeper in your area. My idea would be to put a broodbox below with a few frames of comb in, allowing enough room for what they have already built in tree, than cutting the comb in tree off and lowering it into box. With protective gear on of course. Than I would put a honey super box on top (without a queen excluder) or another brood chamber with drawn out comb or some already honey filled combs from another hive to give them a head start.Anyway, you would need a beekeeper for this. Wish I lived closer!

-- Kate Henderson (sheeplady@catskill.net), September 06, 2000.