"One afternoon, someone rang my doorbell to tell me that I had a "huge bees nest" in my Magnolia tree. I didn't know anything about bee nests or swarms, so I didn't know what I was looking at or what the bees were doing, but I went outside, and sure enough, there was a huge bundle of bees hanging in my tree. I immediately called a bee-keeping friend and sent him a picture of what I soon learned was a swarm. 

 

He contacted Chris, who then immediately contacted me. When Chris learned that the bees had been in the tree for several days during a period of very cold weather, he decided to immediately take action and come and collect the bees. Chris impressed me with his calm demeanor and knowledge about bees. He showed up promptly after our phone conversation with a small hive. He trimmed the branch that the bees were hanging on and gently set the swarm into the hive. We waited for the bees to calm down, and during that time, Chris gave me a crash course on swarms. I enjoyed our conversation immensely. Once the bees calmed down a bit and the banana smell had subsided, (i learned that bees give off a banana like sent when they are upset,) Chris gave them some sugar water to revive them and patiently waited until the majority of the bees were in the hive. He even went as far as gently putting the stragglers, who were clustered on his truck, with the use of a note card, into the hive. 

 

Chris was so kind, patient, and thoughtful.  You can tell that he really cares about what he does. 

 

Thanks for helping out my Magnolia swarm!!! "