Swarm Removal

Do you have a swarm of honeybees in Eau Claire County?  We're happy to help! The first step is to determine whether you truly have a honeybee colony or if it’s a less-than-friendly look alike.  Google can provide you with many fine image examples (Here are some examples).  Everyone has a different comfort level when it come to stinging insects but the more you are able to observe the easier identification can happen.  Bees are fuzzy, muted tones and generally docile while wasps are shiny, brightly colored, and aggressively territorial.  If in doubt as to how to identify your particular problem, feel free to email us some photos.  We will are will to make a house call to identify your problem but if they are not honeybees, we require a $50 house call fee.

Supposing you do have a swarm, open air clusters are easily removed but can form and flee rapidly.  Time is of the essence; if you see an open air swarm perched on a tree, bush or other structure contact us immediately!  Unmanaged honeybees have little chance of survival in our northern climate and can be a pain to remove once settled in.  A fresh swarm can fly as fast as a car and manifest itself as a cluster for several hours or several days before moving to a new location.  

If you're experiencing a settled swarm, or feral colony, the process can become a bit more involved.  We have to stress -- we are not carpenters and thusly would defer any structural alteration to a qualified professional.  It's possible to "vacuum" bees from a wall, and prevent them from returning, but if they've established comb, honey and/or brood may be present.  Left alone, the honey could attract other pests and further cause damage to the structure.  We're happy to work with your carpenter or can help to identify a provider who can accommodate your specific needs.  

Community-Supported Apiculture

We're going out a limb - assuming that if you've found yourself at this point of our site, you're maybe aware of some of the current problems facing beekeeping.  Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) was first reported in the US in 2006.  Though the scientific community has yet to clearly identify the causes and conditions leading to CCD, many concerning trends are difficult to ignore.  Parasites like Varroa Destructor mites, diminishing nutritional forage and environmental or chemical adulterations have all contributed to making beekeeping a moving target.  What had traditionally been a stable and predictable practice now sees changes from season to season.  Recent high mortality rates in Wisconsin have also made beekeeping a much more costly pursuit; with an almost yearly need to purchase genetics.  

Community-Supported Apiculture, like joining a traditional CSA, is a way to connect with your producer and sustain an increasingly difficult pursuit.  You can help Kaiserson get a head start on the next season and we'll reward you with sweet treats.  Check out our availability and options.

Presentations

Ellen and Drew love to talk about bees!  They've given talks to elementary, high school & college students, churches, clubs, civic groups, & libraries.  They organized efforts to win a unanimous approval of an urban beekeeping ordinance in Eau Claire, WI; as well as approval in Altoona, WI.  Kaiserson's approach is interdisciplinary and fluid with the interests of their audience in mind.  Visit the event page to see where they'll bee or use our contact form to request a presentation.     

Bee Rentals

Are you a producer in need of pollination in Eau Claire County?  Let's talk.  We like making food grow almost as much as we like bees.

Hive Host - Apprenticeships

Want to start a hive or two but not feeling confident to go it alone?  We'll help you to find a solution that's right for you.