2 posts tagged “swarm”
It's swarm season again. Swarming is the way bee colonies reproduce. The swarm is looking for a good place to start a colony. You can help them.
The Alameda County Beekeepers' Association members are available to capture swarms. Some members may charge; others do it because they want the bees.
NOTE: If you see bees going in and out of a hole, such as in a wall or tree, this is no longer a swarm, it's a new colony. For these jobs, please call Stan Umlauft at A&B Swarm Removal, 800-500-4747. He's a club member who will do everything he can to save the bees.
When You Call the Beekeeper, the following information is useful to have available:
- Your name, address and return phone number for the day you are calling.
- When did the swarm arrive, and where it is located on your property *We can only go on to property with the permission of the owner)
- How big is the swarm? Softball? Football? Basketball? Larger?
- How high is the swarm, and do you have a ladder available if needed?
- Is it possible to clip or prune the plant where the swarm is located?
Please note: The individuals listed below will be contracting with you directly for the removal of the swarm or colony. ACBA does not endorse, sponsor, guarantee or assume any liability for any work they may do, and it is ACBA policy to allow the individual to determine whether or not to charge for their service and if so, at what rate.
| Anywhere in Alameda County | Phone | Location and Availability |
| Steven Sparks Jeff Rolle |
415-205-5797 | Anywhere in the East Bay |
| Rob Hopcke | 510-393-1762 | Anywhere in the East Bay |
| Frank Brosnan | 510-517-4353 | Anywhere in the East Bay |
| Bob Baty | 510-268-8466 | $60 per swarm, $300-400 structural extraction |
| North-Central Alameda County |
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| Elaine Hoffman | 510-531-9425 | Mon-Friday after 5pm; Sat-Sun all day |
| Bryan Tracy | 510-735-7181 | Oakland, weeknights |
| Kim Allen--BYA | 831-419-0385 | Berkeley |
| Jim Novosel | 708-5562 cell, 420-1484 office | Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, low swarms only |
| Anastasia Nicole | 415-716-9992 | Low swarms only |
| Kristin Olnes | 510-568-2954 | Oakland |
| John Morra | 287-0930; 774-8509 | Oakland to Hayward area |
| Kirk Peterson | 510-547-0275 | Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Alameda |
| Vicki Hammarstedt | 510-486-1362 | Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda |
| Scott Hirscher | 510-681-8054 | Oakland hills area |
| Christian Bauer | 415-336-2432 | Alameda (island) |
| Pat McGuiness | 510-261-1642 | downtown/East Oakland |
| Alex Perrotti | 510-717-1299 | Berk/Oakland |
| Kerrie Paussa | 510-594-9453; 510-502-4299 | East Bay. M-Th after 5pm; All day F, Sa, Su. |
| Cam Bauer | 510-489-9269; 510-287-4771 | Fremont to San Leandro |
| Martin | 510-593-0694 | El Cerrito to San Leandro |
| Chris Hwang | 510-282-0302 | Oakland area |
| Judy Klinger | 510-337-7022 x5430; 510-482-1609 | Oakland |
| Liz Dunn | 510-482-9222 | Oakland area |
| Thierry Thys | 510-569-8672 | Oakland area |
| Coby Leibman | 415-310-8944 | Berkeley |
| Kait Singley | 510-449-1055 | Oakland/Berkeley |
| South Alameda County |
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| Annaliese Pamela | 415-828-6655 | South county, willing to travel |
| George Zakedis | 510-572-2662 ; 510-390-5741 | Union City/Fremont, structural extractions |
| Diane Dovholuk | 510-604-8335 | Pleasanton, Livermore, Hayward, Fremont, Newark |
| Judy Casale | 510-881-4939; 510-415-9403 | Castro Valley and environs, call BOTH numbers |
| Bob Ballard | 510-278-8487; 510-432-6063 | South county |
| Michelle Barnett | 510-409-3030 | El Cerrito to Hayward |
Swarm season is now full-blown, just like our spring. Beekeepers are available to safely capture and hive swarms. In Alameda County, call the Alameda County Beekeepers Association swarm coordinator, Robert Hapke at 510-393-1762. He will find someone to take care of this safely for you.
If you find a swarm, here's what you should know:
Swarms are very very unlikely to sting.
This is how bee colonies reproduce. This swarm is looking for a new home.
The swarm may stay for only a half day; it may decide to build comb and establish a new hive right where it is.
The swarm is valuable to the environment, because bees are helpful pollinators. There are many people who would like to give this colony a home.
If you find a swarm:
1. Reassure neighbors and passersby. If possible, block off an area with a radius of five or more feet from the swarm, more so no one harms the swarm than to protect people.
2. Call a beekeeper or bee club immediately. If you get voicemail, leave complete information: Location; details such as under the eaves, in a tree, how high up; how big the swarm is; whether a ladder is needed and whether you can provide it; your contact info.
You will be doing a good deed for the bees and for all of us!
