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April 12, 2015 | #1 |
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Bees
On countless threads I have talked about the bees that have made our yard and one hollowed tree their home for years. They don't sting - or at least never have stung any of us. They're friendly. Just about every day, one will land on my shoulder and hitch a ride. Last year, I noticed for several days they flew in this huge round swarm. I would estimate at least a thousand bees (No exaggeration) The area of the swarm was around 20' tall and wide. It was loud too. I'm not sure of what kind of bee they are?
In the pictures below, they are on a hummingbird feeder that they have almost drained over the past three days. About 12 ounces of colored sugar water. |
April 12, 2015 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10
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Great very cool photos.
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April 12, 2015 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
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The swarm is a queen leaving the hive in the tree.
When there are two queens one leaves and some of the worker bees leave with her. Inside the very middle of that wad of bees is the queen. You can put your hand gently into the swarm and find the queen and put her in another hive. She will be about three times bigger than the worker bees. Tap on the hive and the other bees will go in and make a new hive. The first hive we ever had was from a wild one in a hollow tree we cut down with an 8 foot cross cut saw. We took the honey and the bees and all. If you watch real close you will notice when the bee leaves it will make a straight line back to the hive. Follow that line and you will find the hive. Worth |
April 12, 2015 | #4 | |
Tomatovillian™
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
As an aside, that 'swarm' you saw was possible a mating swarm, a few thousand bees going with a virgin queen on her mating flight. Those drones (male bees) are really noisy in flight. |
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April 12, 2015 | #5 |
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beeman, thank you. Yes very noisy.
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April 12, 2015 | #6 |
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The internet has problems tonight.
There is a hollowed tree about 50' behind our second garden. The bees have been living there for a decade or longer. We call it the "Bee Tree". I looked up the European Honey Bees, and yes, that's what they are. |
April 13, 2015 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crystal Lake IL
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By the way, the coloring in the water is thought to be bad for hummingbirds. You don't need any color - just sugar and water.
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April 13, 2015 | #8 |
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Tam, I've read that too. We bought one of those just-add-water powders for hummingbird food from Walmart. I didn't realize it was going to be red. We're trying to get it used up. Normally, we boil 4 cups of water to one cup of sugar and no food coloring.
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April 13, 2015 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
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Location: Crystal Lake IL
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Yes, just plain 'ol sugar water is perfect. No need to spend extra $$$ on commercial preparations.
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April 13, 2015 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
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Wow folks someone just got some Free Bees!!!!
I was outside painting and from the north east going to the south west a huge swarm flew over my house. I heard something from the distance going bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and getting louder then it was real loud and then dropped off. By they way that was the same route the Japanese bombed pearl harbor from. Sounded like a bunch of tiny bombers and torpedo planes flying over. Worth |
April 14, 2015 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Chicago IL
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What a lovely idea! I did not know one can use feeder for bees as well. Gotta get one now. Seen my first of the season bee today on blooming pulmonaria.
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April 14, 2015 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
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April 14, 2015 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Where I live you put up a humming bird feeder and you start getting fire ants in no time.
I have so many plants that are dependent on humming birds and bees I wont put one up anymore. I'm going to make the little devils work for it. The bees and humming birds need to be out in the garden where they belong not hanging out for a free lunch. Worth |
April 15, 2015 | #14 |
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Worth, I do something similar. I put out hummingbird feeders in early spring to bring in the bees and eventually hummingbirds. When the tomatoes start flowering, I quit refilling the feeders. Then I refill in August when it is so hot. I agree, make nature work for you, but help it out when it needs a little help.
Another way to look at that is like chumming out a fishing hole, but I don't think of it like that. I see it as baiting before and after natural food is available. Last edited by AlittleSalt; April 15, 2015 at 12:39 AM. |
April 15, 2015 | #15 | |
Tomatovillian™
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Quote:
I have a Mexican bird of paradise that is going to put on the biggest show ever this year. There are plenty of blooms to go around here most all of the year. Worth |
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