Our local Association require that you have done the basic and follow the BBKA regs.charliebravo wrote: ↑16 Aug 2018, 20:22I'm not sure I want to go on the swarm list as it sounds like it can be a bit stressful, but how do you get on it?
Do you have to do a course in collecting swarms beforehand?
Collecting swarms can be great fun and a curse at the same time. One weekend I had over 160 calls in 2 days about bumble bees from residents whose local council just told everyone to call me. You will get begging, pleading, threatening and abusive calls. My children will die, my dog will get stung, my wife will leave me What ! why can't you come right now ?? Don't forget to tell them you are doing this free of charge as the BBKA seem to think we are all retired old beekeepers with nothing better to do than travel miles, spend half a day collecting a swarm to go home and then come back out at night to collect the box out of the good will of our hearts. Then your reward is a swarmy set of genes in your apiary, possibly disease and the cost of a new hive, frames and foundation.
I think you should go for it