uninvited guests

[EagleJCS]

YIKES! You couldn't get me close enough to take that photo - the photo's too close for me!

Got stung by a hornet between the ring & pinky finger on my right hand about 25 years ago (long story on that). Don't EVER wanna be stung again.

[Bugbear]

Wow, that is a great hive. You should call a bee keeper, there is sure to be a queen bee as they swarm with the queen bee when they move or split the hive.

Yep, call a bee keeper.

[DryFly]

Another vote for the beekeeper.

Colony numbers are way down from Colony Colapse Disorder and trouble with mites. Other observations not withstanding.

DryFly

[Matthew Siegmann]

As much as I dislike the little buggers, I agree with others on contacting a bee keeper. If a healty hive like that is around it definatly needs preserved for the honey. I will say that I don't like them because I'm actually allergic... so that many bees stinging me will definatly kill me...

[Flag Folder]

I kept bees for many years as a hobby and small business. Swarms are a split from an existing hive looking for a home and are generally not aggressive and often very easy to handle.
The counties here in California keep a list of beekeepers that will remove swarms, usually free. Try the agricultural extension office in the county offices. Or sometimes pest control companies know a beekeeper that will capture them and haul em away.

Bruce

[funlvnman]

I posted this as kind of a "Gee, look what I've had to go through", I've been in a 'feeling sorry for myself mood' lately. It never occured to me that someone could benefit from my woes. Soooooooooo, thank you everyone. It's nice to know that a beekeeper will soon have a strong thriving hive to help out the farmers in our area. Hooya to all.

Rich

[Kilted_John]

Heh, be grateful that one of those evil pests didn't decide to go for the manhood. I *almost* got bitten by a Wasp that went up one of my shorts legs and was headed right for the crotch. Luckily, I was able to crunch it before it got any farther. But, I did get nibbled on by two other Wasps. Once on the elbow, and once on the knee.

Had been searching through a car that we had in the cul de sac, for some auto parts that I needed for another vehicle, hence the non-kilted content.

-J

[tyger]

I kept bees for many years as a hobby and small business. Swarms are a split from an existing hive looking for a home and are generally not aggressive and often very easy to handle.
The counties here in California keep a list of beekeepers that will remove swarms, usually free. Try the agricultural extension office in the county offices. Or sometimes pest control companies know a beekeeper that will capture them and haul em away.

Bruce

Flag Holder is correct. This is a swarm of bees. They are 'resting' in this protected spot while scouts are out looking for a better place to make their permanent location. Swarms of bees are the most docile crowd one could ever meet. While bees are swarming, they are almost IMPOSSIBLE to provoke. Many times I have come to collect such a swarm. Hold a cardboard box under them and scoop them slowly and gently with you hand into the box. Squeemish about using your hand? Then use a little spatula or someting. Go slow. Never a problem.

[Weasel Mender]

PAGING MICHAEL BEEMAN your advice here would be good

Weasel

[RamsayClanCommish]

Me and my phobia of the stinging little buggers would make me instantly grab for a few cans of wasp & hornet killer and go on a killing spree.