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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: MeadFarm on June 02, 2010, 01:07:38 pm

Title: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: MeadFarm on June 02, 2010, 01:07:38 pm
We have six hives set up in what seemed to be a perfect place behind our garage - wind protected, full sun, with southern exposure. Unfortunately the barn swallows (dozens of them) have returned as they do every year, and set up camp in the eves. They seem to be eating our bees constantly. From what I understand these little avian insectivores can eat twice their weight a day and feed their young up to 400 times a day!
We are new to beekeeping but have been doing math for a while. I'm figuring that this might not bode well for our colonies. I'm not thrilled about the thought of moving the hives but I'm less thrilled with losing the colonies.
Are my fears well founded, or should I just enjoy watching this natural wonder? Does anyone have any experience with this kind of situation?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 02, 2010, 01:13:10 pm
yup.  it's a real problem.  they eat and eat and will reduce your hive population.  there really isn't much you can do about them except try to make sure your hives are really strong.  they are pretty hard to shoot.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: wd on June 02, 2010, 01:30:19 pm
You could always give em hard time, remove nests, netting, etc.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 02, 2010, 01:33:40 pm
i have already knocked down the nests.  been doing that for years.  they just nest in someone else's barn.  as for netting, they eat on the fly.  the swoop over the field near the hives and scoop up bees.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: MeadFarm on June 02, 2010, 01:43:55 pm
I used to tolerate them and even appreciate them. Now, not so much. Some say they will only be here for a short time, but it's the same time the bees are the most active. They are a protected species, so shooting them or knocking them down is frowned upon. Though it's our property and they are making me mad so...I don't want to incriminate myself.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: D Coates on June 02, 2010, 01:53:26 pm
Is there any way to set up some fishing line from your barn through their main feeding flight paths?  They do this in Florida to keep gulls from hangin out in certain areas (open air bars and restaraunts).  It doesn't kill them to my knowledge but makes them unwilling to fly in that area.  I haven't tried this myself so I don't know if it will work but it may be a low cost deterent.  Just an idea.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Irwin on June 02, 2010, 02:01:00 pm
Problem solved :-D


http://picasaweb.google.com/irwin453/177PelletGun#5478221784333620994 (http://picasaweb.google.com/irwin453/177PelletGun#5478221784333620994)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: AllenF on June 02, 2010, 02:01:49 pm
The fishing line sounds fun to watch
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 02, 2010, 02:06:25 pm
i'd be stringing fishing line across acres of my pasture.  have gone out with the pellet gun, but those suckers are fast.  shotgun might work, but haven't tried it yet.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: lenape13 on June 02, 2010, 02:17:25 pm
Winchester 1300, modified choke, and trap loads.  If you hit them right, there's nothing left to clean up.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: MeadFarm on June 02, 2010, 03:13:24 pm
Such violence from such peaceful people! :evil:
Though I did consider adding a tennis racquet to my beekeeping tool box. They may be fast, but if I connected - they'd know it.
The fishing line idea had occurred to me, as did netting, though I'd need a heck of a lot of it. Plus I'd have to set up something to attach it to. I imagine they'd hang out just outside the perimeter and pick my girls off.
I'm hoping they'll choose to nest elsewhere as their current choice is no longer there.
Who knows, I may end up going for a shotgun someday if I don't get any honey!
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: wd on June 02, 2010, 03:54:22 pm
Swallows are common under bridges around here. Rice growers use propane exploders for blackbirds, they just move 50 to 100 yards or so, I don't think that would well with swallows. just a mention.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: danno on June 02, 2010, 04:14:48 pm
It should be mentioned here the Barn Swallows are protected.  The list of protected birds are on the link below but to save you time the only ones  you can legally shoot are pigeons, Starling and house sparrows

http://www.pacificwildlife.org/info/Online%20Docs/fmbtaList.pdf (http://www.pacificwildlife.org/info/Online%20Docs/fmbtaList.pdf)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: OzBuzz on June 02, 2010, 10:39:26 pm
You guys are quick to pick up the guns and want to kill something! I can understand the frustration but remember they, like the bees, are an animal and if we actually take the time to sit and watch them they're fearcely protective of their young and they're beautiful to watch catching insects mid-flight. If you have kids they too love being able to look at the babies poking their heads over the edge of the nest and then flying around with their parents - we protect and nurture the bees! why should our attitude to the birds be any different?

a practice that has long been used in farming is sacrifice for the greater good - it takes effort but it means that everybody can live harmoniously and no one has to go and spread blood and guts everywhere...

In farming areas where the farmer actually cares they often plant a few acres more than they need... it's an additoonal cost yes but they sacrifice some to save the majority. Why not consider leaving one hive where the swallows are and move the rest? You could even make that hive a double queen hive to keep the numbers up... in that scenario the swallows won't go searching out your other hives when they literally have food at their doorstep. Yes, they will eat your bees, yes your hive may not produce as much honey over the short time that the swallows are in residence - but it will allow your other hives to operate at full capacity. Swallows only nest for a short period of time - once they move out you can move your hives back. I mean at the end of the day we rob the bees of their honey that they have put a lot of work and effort in to - they don't come at us guns blazing (although some would debate that hahaha).

Just a thought
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 02, 2010, 10:50:51 pm
it brought me to tears.  i think i'll go find a tree to hug.   :'(
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 02, 2010, 10:55:31 pm
when they showed up a few years ago, there were two.  then there were five, then 12....
this year, even though they are  hard to count, there are easily 15.

how many should i enjoy?
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: mvanek on June 02, 2010, 11:00:24 pm
Just a quick thought...

If you kill the swallows for eating your bees, there won't be anything keeping down the other insect populations, like flies and mosquitoes...

I'd look for a less violent way to deal with the swallows.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: hardwood on June 02, 2010, 11:03:40 pm
Guess I gotta open another, more robust bank account for the government to feed on. Maybe they'll start leaving the others alone.

Scott
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: OzBuzz on June 02, 2010, 11:05:55 pm
Guess I gotta open another, more robust bank account for the government to feed on. Maybe they'll start leaving the others alone.

Scott

That's called taxes - they don't take more than they're allowed to by law (atleast not here in OZ)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: OzBuzz on June 02, 2010, 11:06:33 pm
Just a quick thought...

If you kill the swallows for eating your bees, there won't be anything keeping down the other insect populations, like flies and mosquitoes...

I'd look for a less violent way to deal with the swallows.

I'm with you Kathy!
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: buzzbee on June 02, 2010, 11:07:31 pm
Wonder if hey will be so forgiving of varroa or wax moths?
As far as mosquitos,the bats work after dark when the bees are back at the hive.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: fish_stix on June 02, 2010, 11:19:20 pm
Too much of that Vegemite, OzBuzz. Now tell us why it's necessary to thin out the Roo population in farms around Oz. And those poor little burros! Why not just save them all and plant thousands more acres to feed them? How about the bunny rabbits? Brumbys? Scrub Bulls? Camels?
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: wd on June 02, 2010, 11:33:34 pm
I think all one can do is try to deter them.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 02, 2010, 11:59:40 pm
i have bats!!!   :-D
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: MeadFarm on June 03, 2010, 01:39:25 am
Wow.
 I didn't mean to stir up such a NRA discussion. I did not, and am not, planning on killing any birds. I am aware that they are protected, and that they are loving creatues - as are we all??? I did however, persuade them to move on by removing the beginnings of their new nests (also not OK for protected species, but they are still alive).
They were not eating my bees this evening and that was my goal.
Thanks to all...even the killers.  ;)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Xperiment on June 03, 2010, 02:21:16 am


We lose a few bees to the swallows every year.   Seems like a fair deal.   I get to enjoy watching the swallows fly and they also eat mosquitos.

yrs,
rubato

Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Irwin on June 03, 2010, 07:31:30 am
Just a quick thought...

If you kill the swallows for eating your bees, there won't be anything keeping down the other insect populations, like flies and mosquitoes...

I'd look for a less violent way to deal with the swallows.

I'm with you Kathy!
What? don't you mean mvanek
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Irwin on June 03, 2010, 07:35:26 am
it brought me to tears.  i think i'll go find a tree to hug.   :'(
:lau: :lau:
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: SurprisingWoman on June 03, 2010, 12:43:06 pm
This year the Western Tanagers are hanging around.  I just enjoy their beautiful colors and hope they will be moving on soon.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: danno on June 03, 2010, 01:50:58 pm
I have 20+ colonies on the east side of my 120year old barn and trust me I have more barn swallows than most on this site.   They eat bee's but it has never had much of a impact on these hives.   They also eat there share of flies moths and dragon flies.  Also the statement that they eat 4 time there weight per day is false.  Ever see a seagal that has gorged on fish?   They cant fly!!!   
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Bee Happy on June 03, 2010, 03:08:58 pm
I think bottle rockets aimed in the general direction of the nests might be harassment enough to run them out. fun anyway.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: MeadFarm on June 03, 2010, 05:07:45 pm
I have 20+ colonies on the east side of my 120year old barn and trust me I have more barn swallows than most on this site.   They eat bee's but it has never had much of a impact on these hives.   They also eat there share of flies moths and dragon flies.  Also the statement that they eat 4 time there weight per day is false.  Ever see a seagal that has gorged on fish?   They cant fly!!!   
Im pretty sure I said twice their weight in a day. And that's not all at once! I'm sure flight would be an issue it that were true!  :flyingpig:
Never-the-less this is the very response I was looking for - that it doesn't have much impact. All is well with the equilibrium of nature!
Thanks!
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 03, 2010, 05:15:08 pm
the impact depends on the number and strength of your hive.  15 swallows and 2 hive = a problem.  15 hive and 15 swallows, maybe not so much.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: fermentedhiker on June 03, 2010, 05:51:15 pm
A lot of times the impact of a generalized predator like a swallow(as opposed to a specialized one like a bee-eater) depends on the make up of the prey in the area.  By that I mean they concentrate their efforts on the most abundant food source.  So if you have a large mosquito population and 1 hive they will have less of an impact than if our bees are the most prevalent food source.  Since going up from one hive to three last year(13 this year) I now have a pair of fly catchers that doubtless live off of my girls, but even they don't seem to have an impact on hive population.  What concerns me more is how likely they, the swallows, or the dragonflies are to snatch my virgin queens on their mating flights :(, but I guess that is life as a beekeeper.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: luvin honey on June 03, 2010, 06:04:12 pm
It's all about balance. I have no clue where that balance is, but I'd leave the birds. However, I smash potato bugs, squash and cucumber beetles without mercy and just smashed a yellow jacket at the hives the other day :D
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 03, 2010, 06:17:05 pm
Quote
snatch my virgin queens on their mating flights


i'm pretty sure that's what has happened to most of mine.  i have a heck of a time letting hives requeen.  someone here told me that the queens are easy targets because they are bigger and a little slower. 
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: bailey on June 03, 2010, 10:50:56 pm
boy i have it diffrent here!
i keep nest sites for purple martins here in louisiana and we have at least 30pairs nesting here right now.
so far as i can tell i never see them eating bees but boy when they come in to land on the gourds in the day time there are at least 3 to 6 bees trailing them all the way in head butting and harrassing the martins
the entire time until they land. if they just cruse past the pole slowly i have seen as many as a dozen bees following one bird.
it reminds me of a flight of jet fighters swarming after a bomber. it one of the funniest things i have seen in bee keeping so far.
bailey

Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: bull on June 03, 2010, 11:26:24 pm
hawk kits and owl decoys ? that's what peace full people i know do . (I shoot first)
its just my way.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: harvey on June 03, 2010, 11:40:52 pm
We use plastic owls at work to try and deter sea gulls and other birds from congregating and spreading there nice white crap all over.   We have to wash the plastic owls every so often as when the birds roost on them they change them from brown to white.  My dad hung plastic owls on his barn to scare off woodpeckers.  They have a hole right behind one of the owls!   My hives are all down by the pond and I have a bridge I walk across to get to them.  The swallows next under the bridge.  I see them all day eating bugs off of the pond but never see them flying over the hives?
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 04, 2010, 12:06:15 am
tried owls, and have hawks. didn't work for anything and the hawks eat rabbits, voles, etc.  my pasture already looks like i'm trying to call down ET because of the pigeons and the stuff i had to put out to run them out of the buckwheat.  now see.....i don't always shoot first.  the pigeons would have been easy targets.   :evil:
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Michael Bush on June 04, 2010, 01:43:40 am
I love swallows.  They clean up the mosquitoes and flies.  So if they eat a few bees, that's life.  And I love to watch them fly.  And they always tell me when it's going to rain...
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: luvin honey on June 04, 2010, 07:39:29 pm
I love swallows.  They clean up the mosquitoes and flies.  So if they eat a few bees, that's life.  And I love to watch them fly.  And they always tell me when it's going to rain...
Isn't that the truth? I'm keen on them, too, as they swoop over my gardens, hopefully only getting the annoying bugs and not the ones I actually want there...
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: greenbtree on June 05, 2010, 01:04:02 pm
kathyp - you can shoot the pigeons if you want - they are not protected as they are an alien introduced species.   You seem knowledgeable and probably already know that, but you might not know that they are quite tasty roasted with pan gravy... :evil:

On the other topic, I'm glad knocking down the nests seems to be working.  Swallows are such useful happy little birds.  Knocking down the nests won't even slow them down that much - they will just rebuild somewhere else and still have time to raise their chicks.  Plus then they will be busy somewhere away from your bees!

JC
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 05, 2010, 01:30:04 pm
i have heard that they are good to eat.  to my knowledge, i have not tasted them, but i have eaten things that i didn't feel comfortable asking about.

i have knocked the swallow nests out of my barn for years.  they don't nest there anymore.  they have not move far as they are out there twice a day filling up on the bees.  the problem i have, is that they come back year after year and bring their ever increasing clans with them. 
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: slacker361 on June 05, 2010, 08:48:34 pm
Shotgun
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: cam on June 06, 2010, 08:13:51 pm
Studies have been done on this subject. Seems that swallows only eat drones or queens because they have tender mouths and don't want the stings. Also drones and queens fly higher on mating flights and are more vulnerable to predation.

Like Michael Bush I love swallows, love to see them fly and have an out yard that has multiple swallow nests and bluebirds. It's a great place to work bees and take a few minutes to enjoy another part of nature.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on June 06, 2010, 08:23:42 pm
gotta love studies.  and what would be the explanation for their swooping over my hives and fields before i had drones flying? 
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: MacfromNS on June 06, 2010, 10:43:52 pm
I've seen them take horse flies right beside my head..
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: bee-nuts on June 06, 2010, 11:35:44 pm
I just set a hive a bees at a new yard next to a open farm machine shed.  I seen some barn swallows which will be less than 20 yards away.  I hope they dont do to much damage.

We used to have them in the barn every year.  We would shut the barn doors at night with them in it and open them in the morning and they would fly out.  I remember them flying in and out as they constantly feed there young while we feed and milked the cows.  I really had a liking for them and still do.  I really hope they dont end up being a real problem.  I have not noticed a problem in another yard a mile away.  I did see a bird on my fence wire a couple times last year but I have no Idea what it was and as soon as I was worried about it I did not see it any more.  I wonder if moving the hives away from the building helps any.  There is a big swamp near that should have plenty of insects for them to eat if its closer than the bees.

Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: luvin honey on June 07, 2010, 07:19:34 pm
gotta love studies.  and what would be the explanation for their swooping over my hives and fields before i had drones flying? 
All the other bugs they eat around your fields and hives?
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: beee farmer on June 08, 2010, 12:33:44 am
I would venture to say they eat dozens of flys for each bee they consume.  Not to mention mosquetoes.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: bee-nuts on June 08, 2010, 03:39:19 am
Before drones fly, there is not much if anything flying besides honeybees.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: cam on June 08, 2010, 09:52:39 am
Seems to me that a good queen will lay in excess of 1500 eggs/day. A few hundred bees from 5 - 10 hives doesn't appear to be able to damage them that much.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: bee-nuts on June 08, 2010, 01:01:33 pm
Im sure a nesting pair of barn swallows will take the path of lest resistance to feed there young.  At a demand of up to 400 feedings per day that will probably put a single colonies resources at a deficit if they are feeding primarily on them.  If you have ever fished under a bridge you likely have seen up to a hundred or more nesting pairs of barn swallows constantly coming and going feeding there young.  If you are near a barn swallow nesting area and they eat bees, you are going to take a hit if there is not a comparable, better, or easier source of protein for there young.  Its just common sense.  For those of you who do not live in the country, you can speculate all you want.  If you grew up on a farm, raised live stock or the like, you know what a fox can do to a chicken coop, a cougar can do to horses, calf's, same with wolfs and on and on.  Insects can destroy whole plantations or crops.  A single bear can destroy acres of corn.  Why should it seem so inconceivable that birds can raise heck with a bee yard.  Seems more than plausible to me.  When you open your hives and see no progress and no disease or other explanation and a few Barn swallow coming and going from the area then it might make sense to you.  I myself have a very hard time believing Kathy has exaggerated the issue and take her word for it.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: luvin honey on June 08, 2010, 01:30:36 pm
Don't forget what coons can do to a sweetcorn patch in a single night!

I don't think anybody is suggesting meadfarm is lying or exaggerating. He just asked how worried he should be. Some of us in the county with swallows have not seen it to be a problem. Some of us in the country with swallows have. Some just have other ideas for handling it other than shooting the birds... :)

I do and have had livestock and more than an acre of vegetables to protect. Sometimes problems can be dealt with in unique ways, which is what people have been offering. As for nothing else flying before drones, that's certainly not what I am seeing around here. We have tons of moths, butterflies, flies, wasps, hornets, mosquitos, lightning bugs, bumblebees and other flying creatures, but I have yet to see the drones fly.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: cam on July 29, 2010, 05:00:05 pm
Update: I put 5 new nucs in a field where there are bird houses with swallows and bluebirds. I have yet to see the birds feeding on the bees. The nucs are building up nicely, have been there for over a month. Bluebirds are raising young at this time, and no noticeable problems with the nucs. 
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: podius on July 29, 2010, 10:47:52 pm
Swallows in my case are a problem. I suspected it last year and did a trial yard away from the swallow population. My trial yard has boomed, lots of bees. My other yard next to a barn has low numbers and not much honey. Every time I'm out there, there's trillions of swallows swooping down flying back and forth over my hives-the sun is blocked occasionally. OK so maybe it's not that bad, but it's close. I think I will move them far away from any buildings this winter  8-)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: bee-nuts on July 30, 2010, 02:35:23 am
I put a five frame nuc right next to a machinery shed with swallows in it two months ago and just pulled and extracted 66 pounds of honey last weekend.  Its now three deeps and two mediums full of bees.  Not sure what happend to the two nucs I brought there a few weeks ago with queen cells.  Cant find queens and bad brood patterns.  Im worried the ride was to rough when transporting them an hurt the cells but maybe swallows got them.  Not sure.  I hope to find better results on next inspection.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: cam on July 30, 2010, 07:02:20 am
In the study I read swallows feed on drones and queens because they don't sting and tend to fly higher. They may have gobbled up your queens if they were virgins. I am avoiding putting virgin queens in my yard with the swallows for that reason.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: nella on July 30, 2010, 08:46:36 am
I don't see the barn swallows(about 12 nests) at my farm feeding on the bees.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Kathyp on July 30, 2010, 11:05:02 am
the study is BS.  they eat more than drones and queens and will reduce your hive numbers if there are enough of them and they get a taste for your bees.  i have no doubt that not all swallows are a problem everywhere.  maybe in some areas they have an abundance of food that they prefer to honeybees.  this is the first year that my bees have not been damaged by the swallows.  there were fewer birds, and the very heavy spring rain, and the cold, kept the bees in through most of may and early June. 

Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Livefreeordie on July 30, 2010, 12:20:38 pm
the study is BS. 


I agree, most studies like that are produced and paid for by groups with the express agenda of trying to control someone elses behavior. I treat everything the same, if on MY property, and causing damage, it is eliminated, from bugs to bears, I have always handled pest this way, and will continue to do so. Your investment in your bee's far outweighs a couple of birds. Especially swallows, which are everywhere.
Before any self righteous bird lover chimes in, I have bird boxes up all over the yard, we have bluebirds and Wrens and they do a great job of keeping bugs out of the garden. If they become a problem for my bee's, they will be evicted.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: 1of6 on July 30, 2010, 12:23:29 pm
It's easier to stomach losing a few bees along the way as long as it doesn't go too far into the thousands...when you lose the queen on a mating flight, that changes everything.

Everyone grumbles when they have a yard that has problems getting queens mated and back in the hives.

I didn't see any links posted showing the study...I'm surprised no one has posted it yet.  Any takers?
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: cam on July 31, 2010, 06:06:43 pm
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v047n06/p0261-p0263.pdf (http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v047n06/p0261-p0263.pdf)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Pillpeddler on August 04, 2010, 12:29:01 am
I'm sure it varies from state agency to state agency, but call your state Fish and Game Dept and see what regs you have for nuisance or depredating animals.  Some states are sensible and allow for problem animals to be "removed", other states are not so lenient.  Every animal I have had the pleasure of observing will take the easiest route to a full belly it can find and once they become acclimated to an easy feast become very tough to remove.  Barn swallows are beautiful and graceful creatures...  and very swift,  an appropriate lead and followthrough will be needed.   ;)  ...  so I have heard.

Pill
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Livefreeordie on August 04, 2010, 08:56:59 am
And before those fish and game laws is that Private Property rights thing.......I figure anyone or anythings rights end at my property line.... ;)
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: AliciaH on August 04, 2010, 07:31:46 pm
I started my bees three years ago, the swallows moved in the following spring.  I do love contributing to that 'circle of life' thing!  Luckily, our swallows haven't been too much of a problem...yet.
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: gundalf on August 05, 2010, 08:02:41 pm
Winchester 1300, modified choke, and trap loads.  If you hit them right, there's nothing left to clean up.

YESSSS!!!
Title: Re: Barn Swallows Swallowing Our Bees!
Post by: Livefreeordie on August 05, 2010, 09:46:48 pm
Winchester 1300, modified choke, and trap loads.  If you hit them right, there's nothing left to clean up.

YESSSS!!!

I had missed Lenapes words of wisdom...I will add a double YESSSS!!! :-D