Swarm of Bees in Athy

Bees Swarming in Athy 

Swarm of bees in Athy

So on Tuesday as I pulled into the men's shed , I hardly arrived and the lads were coming over to me before I had the car parked fully " Ger , Ger , there is a swarm of bees up the town " . 

Needless to say I got directions from the guys and drove off up to the centre of town . 

When I arrived at the town square , on top of Winkles I saw the swarm , a nice swarm and it would of being a lovely addition to my apairy . 

One problem !! 
They were on the chimney of the shop - actually it turned out they were on the chimney of Sherry Fitzgerald's next door to the newsagents and I had no ladder with me long enough to reach them . 

When bees swarm they are looking for a new home - its a bit ironic that they landed on Sherry Fitzgeralds - and were also looking for a new home  

---

Bees swarm on the chimney of Sherry Fitzgerald Athy

swarm of bees in Athy

So I packed up my stuff and had to settle for only being able to take a few photos of the swarm , not being able to reach it . 

Wednesdays Swarm 

Wednesday morning and my phone began to ring and get text messages at about 10am . The swarm (I'm guessing it was the same one ) had come down from the chimney and settled on the Vodafone shop . 

So it was back into the car and off up the town again ( I'm glad I always keep some basic beekeeping equipment in the car and in this case a nuc and a bee suit and a water sprayer are ample ) 

When I got there , the bees had decided to move and only a few were left behind. 

Video credit Cllr Thomas Redmond 

So where ever they have settled I hope they are happy . 

If by chance you notice a swarm of bees and your not happy with them - do contact me , and if I can I'll do my best to remove them . 
You should not be too worried about the swarm - leave it alone and it will leave you alone . 
When bees have swarmed they are looking for a new home. They have left the old home and brought some of their store's with them ( honey ) in their honey stomachs . Which is why ( in general ) they should not sting you. 
With a full tummy - its too hard to bend and jab you with their tail when they are full of honey . They also don't have a hive to defend - they are out looking for one . So leave them alone and they will leave you alone 

"A swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly"