Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1. Name, exact address, and phone number
2. Are they honey bees, and how long have they been there?
3. Where are the bees, exactly—how high, on what?
4. Are they posing a problem—children, traffic?
5. Who might own the bees—a nearby beekeeper?
6. How big is the bunch of bees? Softball, basketball, and beach ball are sizes most
everyone knows.
You'll learn more questions if you do this often. And always have a paper and pen
ready.
Things to tell the caller:
1. Keep a safe distance from the bees or stay indoors.
2. Do not spray them with water or pesticides.
3. Have somebody meet you at the location. Tell them what kind of car or truck
you have. They may be inside.
4. Tell them the bees will leave soon because they are just resting.
Liability
Asobering thought on capturing swarms is liability. What happens if you are in-
jured capturing a swarm on some one else's property? What happens if someone
else is injured while you are removing the swarm? The likelihood of either of these
events occurring is rare, but they do exist and they often end up in court. This must
be considered when retrieving a swarm in a busy neighborhood, on public prop-
erty, or from property owned by a business.
Another consideration is that you should never, ever charge for the opportunity
of removing a swarm unless you are in the pest-control business. Moreover, never,
ever, offer to pay for a swarm if you remove it. These acts can be interpreted as a
business venture and can give you an entirely different liability exposure.
People and honey bees mix in odd ways, and it can be difficult to predict how
a situation will develop once you arrive at the scene. Don't be afraid to walk away
from something you consider dangerous or from someone who is pressuring you.
You'll also need your smoker, bee suit, and gloves, a full spray bottle of sugar syrup,
and perhaps a piece of tarp or carpeting. You should have a means of holding all the
pieces of the box together snugly, such as a ratchet strap or a bungee cord, for the trip
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