911 Swarm Factory

Last week, I received a call from a customer who had been referred to me by the 911 dispatcher on the other end of his frantic phone call about a swarm of bees in his tree.  I removed the swarm fairly quickly – and as I was about to leave he says “My neighbor has bees, too – up in their eve.”

This swarm – and another – had indeed originated from the 2nd floor soffit of his next door neighbor.  I spoke with the neighbor, and arranged a time to come remove the bees from their home.  Here was the view.

And this is what was opened up: 

These bees had a very good demeanor.  There was 1 just-emerged queen, as well as an unopened queen cell.  Both were saved, along with all of the bees (2 swarms on a neighbor’s tree, as well as the established colony).  After removing the bees and the wax/comb – the void space was filled with insulation, then the soffit board was replaced, and new trim was installed, then caulked.