Bees.... in These titles mean nothing.

When I came home today the swarm of bees had moved onto the Pea tree.

We've had this happen before but we've never really done anything about them. Eventually they disappear. Today I thought I would at least make a few phone calls to see if I could find a beekeeper who was interested in taking them out of the pea tree.

First I called the extension office - they were closed but I left a message. Then I called the vet clinic. Julie gave me a name and number of someone she thought had bees. I called and left a message.

Then I got on line - of course - and googled NE Iowa beekeepers and came up with a website. I called the phone number on the side - it was in Guttenburg a ways south of here. The phone was answered!!! And the person was interested. Asked directions and said he would be here in a hour.

And sure enough.

The bees were looking for a new home. He said they had scouts out looking for a good site. When he put them in the box and covered it, there were individuals along the bottom edge 'fanning'. He said that was how the bees called the scouts back.

Later I wiki'd honeybees fanning and got:

The Nasonov (alternatively, Nasanov) pheromone is released by worker bees to orient returning forager bees back to the colony. To broadcast this scent, bees raise their abdomens, which contain the Nasonov glands, and fan their wings vigorously.

He brought his son with him in case there was climbing involved. He said this was one of the easiest bee moving ventures he's had. He left the box of bees here so the bees can become used to their new home. He'll come back tomorrow night to get them.

He said it's late in the season for the bees to get enough pollen/honey/food to see them through the winter. He plans to combine these bees with another hive - with a queen separator - and he hopes they'll make it.

Edit -

He also said bees swarming aren't dangerous. He said they are homeless and thus have nothing to defend.