California Gardening: What's happening in your spring garden #3, 1 by SingingWolf

SingingWolf wrote:
Okay, this time of year, the bees swarm. That usually means that the old queen leaves the hive, and goes looking for a new home. On their journey, they may overnight for a couple of nights to rest up before moving on.
At any rate, JasperDale, that is a beautiful birdhouse, perfect for resting before moving on. It is probably too small to entice them to do more than overnite.
In the open the Queen bee will settle on a branch somewhere, and all the other bees will "ball up" around her to protect her and keep her warm.Most of the bees that you see are workers (Girl bees). Only one use for boy bees and once they've done their duty, the workers kick them out of the hive. They can't even feed themselves.
While swarming, most European Honey bees are docile. Even after they've made a hive somewhere, their primary interests are in collecting nectar and pollen, returning it to the hive. Some take care of the larvae and some are water bees. Their only job is to collect water and bring it back to the hive to cool it off, which they do by fanning their little wings (takes a whole bunch of them).
The major difference between the European and Afrancanized bee is their agression levels. You come near a European hive and 10 bees might come check you out. You come near an Africanized Hive and it's like a 100 bees come at you. And they invite all their friends too! Run! Get under cover, don't forget the four footeds!
Beekeepers wear white because the only natural enemy to the beehive is the black or brown bear. Which is why in previous attacks by the A. Bee, people and animals wearing dark colors are attacked more often than those in lighter colors. If you are worried call, vector control or a removal (pests) service.
If you don't mind using the stuff Raid wasp spray works good and you can maintain your distance. I've found that pumping really soapy water into their hive gets rid of them. Be sure on the previous two to wait until after dark when all the bees are back in their hives.
The smoker method does make the bees collect as much honey as possible to flee. It doesn't really keep them docile but fools them into thinking a fire is approaching the hive. Grab what you can and go! Which us Californians are used to doing. If you decide to use that method, please use fire/smoke responsibly and have at least two means of putting any fire out. Remember we are still in a drought.
Best to call a removal service if they've been around more than 2 or 3 days. They can get rid of honey and comb which can bring in ants or other vermin.
WIB,
SW