Swarm Collectors
Information provided by the Finger Lakes Beekeepers Club
What is a swarm?
Swarming is nature's way of increasing the number of honey bee colonies in the world. Swarms usually are seen in May or June. When airborne they seem huge but generally range in size from a football to a basketball. Some are much larger. Honey bee swarms are usually very docile, not having a home to defend. They often are observed in transit. These migrating swarms are very desirable to beekeepers who like to collect swarms. Once they take up residence in a wall or chimney, they are much harder to deal with. Many beekeepers do not have the skill or inclination to tackle the removal of bees from such predicaments.
Ultimately, if honey bees get into your walls, you may have to call an exterminator. Bees, once on your property, belong to you and you can do with them what you see fit. They are not an endangered species, nor is it illegal to kill them if they become a nuisance. We hope you will give our beekeepers a chance to rescue them, however. Please do not call beekeepers about hornets, wasps, bumble bees, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, termites or spiders. Honey bees are recognized by their small size and their downy appearance. Other insects may be similar in color.
Primary Contacts
The Finger Lakes Beekeepers Club has developed the following list of members who are willing to be contacted regarding removal of bee swarms in the following areas:
Ithaca, Cayuga Heights, etc
Lesli Sagan: lesli@avitalsapiaries.com
Georg Jander: 607-254-1365 (work), 607-257-5804 (home)
Rick Kaufman: kaufmanf@ithaca.edu
Joseph Steuer: 607-229-7511, Ithacadwellings@gmail.com
Hannah Whitehead (especially downtown and South Hill): (585) 217-1576 (cell), hwhiteh1@ithaca.edu
Dryden West (Ithaca, Varna, Ellis Hollow, Slaterville, Harford)
Nancy Munkenbeck: 607-351-0113 (cell), 607-539-7902 (home)
Dryden East (Dryden, Freeville, etc)
Tammy Fazzi and Hank Czerwick: 607-844-9545, 607-221-3563
Kara Cusolito (Dryden East or West): 508-274-1375
Lansing, Groton, Genoa, Locke, etc
Bob Kozlowzki: 607-533-4639
Danby, Willseyville, etc
David Hopkins: 607-220-7400
Caroline, etc
Erica Frenay: 607-255-9911
Newfield, Enfield, West Danby, etc
Ed Kaiser: 607-564-3662
Martha Brewster: 607-564-9569
Charles Mosher: 564-7001 - cwmosher@yahoo.com
Ulysses, Trumansburg, etc
Barb Dewall: 607-387-9603
Ulysses, Hector, Mecklenburg, Alpine, Enfield
Katie & Matt Aldridge: 607-387-9773 (h), 607-229-4394 (c-Matt)
North Ulysses, Hector, Lodi, Covert, Ovid and Romulus
Duane Waid: 607-532-4391
Clyde, 10 mile radius
John Homan: 315-923-9750
Minoa - Kirkville - Fayetteville area
John Ferguson : 315-503-1818
81 Corridor from Marathon to Syracuse
Brian McMahon: 607-753-1245, brianemcmahon@gmail.com
Cortland County
Rick Alexander 607-836-6954: will do swarms in Cortland county as well as cut-outs, and trap outs; 7 yrs experience. Outside of Cortland county there is a gas surcharge otherwise estimates are free
Peter Loring Borst, FLBC President: 607-280-4253
Swarm photo used courtesy of T.Voekler and Wikimedia Commons.
