First Swarm of 2021 in Lancaster, New York

On Sunday April 25th, 2021, I captured my first swarm of the year in the Village of Lancaster, New York. The owners of the property where the swarm was had set up a tall step ladder under the swarm. Also a number of local residents were gathering to watch the swarm capture. After careful analysis, the latter was not tall enough to reach the swarm. The owner suggested that he park his pickup truck under the swarm. That suggestion was a great idea. 

I only got about 90% of the bees from the initial tap of the swarm into the bucket. The remining 10% fell to the bed of the pickup truck. I vacuumed up the the rest of the bees.

The area residents were very enthusiastic about the swarm. They were cheering me on. 

I took the swarm to my parents house in West Seneca, New York.  

Yesterday's weather was in the low 50's with rain and wind earlier. This swarm could have died overnight with the evening temperatures around freezing. Lucky for them I captured them. I plan on inspecting them in about one week.

The owner's son, took a video of the swarm capture. You can see it on his YouTube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyIO62ln5Hk