swarm-list Mailing List: Re: SWARM! Berkely 10 ft up in a street tree

[Pamela Weimer (pamela.weimer]

Turned out this Berkeley swarm was more like 25 ft up but with a clear shot to the swarm (no branches in the way)  if I extended my pole and "bucket" to max of 20 ft and I was able to held on to just the very end of the pole I could just reach the group. Jumping up and down trusting the pole upward I could dislodge most of the bees.  Yeah pole and "bucket"!  Every catcher should have one.  I recommend my husband's design which has the "buckle" which is really a plastic bag on a gimbal so when you bring the "bucket" down it swivels out and keeps the opening level to the ground so bees stay in and don't spill out until you want them to! Here are a couple of photo of the rig so anyone can make it.  We call it a pole and bucket but it is really a pole and trash bag as you see.  A bungee cord around the rim of the bucket holds the plastic bag in place and 2 tabs of duct tape at either end of the bag gives you a hand hold so you can jiggle the bag and release any bees caught inside the bag.  One added benefit of using a plastic bag is the weight of the bucket is now gone!

If you have any questions feel free to reach out.

On Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 1:51 PM Paula Breen via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:

Claim to Pam

On Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 1:42 PM Pamela Weimer via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:

I can go

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 28, 2026, at 1:39 PM, Paula Breen via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:



Settling in a street tree near Ashby and Linden which she estimates to be about 

10 feet but could be higher, this pic isn't super fantastic. 

Who would like to leave now to collect the swarm and return after dark to ensure no be left behind?

If you collected a swarm in the last 24 hours, please hold off 5 minutes before making a claim.

Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host. 

Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at

<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

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to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:

<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

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---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

--

Pamela Weimer

(510) 390-6291

Urban Beekeeper

Retired Teacher and Coach

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Attachment: Pole and Bag Catcher2.jpeg
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