Fwd: [ACBA Swarmlist] Swarm in San Rafael, football size

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Bees & Beeks

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Apr 26, 2026, 2:19:13 PM (12 days ago) Apr 26
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I spent 12 min on the phone with Jeff and did refer Marin Beekeepers to him.  He said he had already contacted them yesterday when the swarm initially arrived.  I don't know how Marin distributes their swarm but it seems there's an online form to fill out.   Jeff said he also called and left them a voicemail.  Since the swarm has been there all day yesterday, he called us this morning. Gabriel Harber from Swarmlist also said  he'd reach out to a contact in Marin.   I honestly didn't know if we had any beeks in our club interested in driving to Marin (plus toll fees) and told Jeff as much.  I would think as a policy, Marin Beek Club would ask the individual assigned to the swarm to contact homeowner before leaving, much like we do (often swarms leave quickly and don't stay the day).  Personally I've spent more time on phone with some homeowners than the time it took to actually capture the swarm itself.   If anyone in Marin had bothered to return Jeff's email or voicemail, he probably wouldn't have called us the next morning. 

Legally bees belong to homeowner and it’s his to do whatever he wants with it, including to have ACBA beek collect vs Marin.  As being neighborly, I did refer and told Jeff about Marin Beekeeper Association and he had called them the day prior. The consensus seems to be that we ACBA, Jim and myself did everything correctly.   

Even within our club there’s been instances where homeowners called multiple people and ACBA arrived while someone else was collecting swarm or soon afterwards.  We don’t always catch the bees we are assigned to, mostly because swarm already left.  ACBA has the fastest response time compared to other clubs.   Going to location and NOT being able to catch a swarm is all a part of the beekeeping journeys.  

Bee Kind,
Mimi Edwards 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Claire Lussier <lussier...@gmail.com>
Date: April 25, 2026 at 11:30:42 PM PDT
To: ACBA Swarmlist <swarm...@alamedabees.org>
Cc: Leslie Louie <3bowen...@gmail.com>, The Bay Architects <bay...@pacbell.net>, Bay Area Beeks <bayare...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [ACBA Swarmlist] Swarm in San Rafael, football size


I strongly suggest that we don’t take the feelings of one member of the Marin bee keeping club to be that of all members or the policy of the club. The leaders of MBKC want swarms to be picked up in a timely manner ad a priority and have never expressed this sort of territorial sentiment as far as I have observed. 




Claire Lussier

M. (510) 590-1789







On Sat, Apr 25, 2026 at 11:05 PM Leslie Louie via swarm-list <swarm...@alamedabees.org> wrote:
IMO if the owner contacted ACBA and we responded and finished the job then it’s not “infringing” on anyone’s “territory.” Swarms don’t always stick around and it’s better for goodwill to bees and Beeks to collect a swarm
Asap. 

It’s unfortunate that the Marin Beek felt this way but it does speak well to our swarm hotline process and volunteers who do this service for the public.  

Leslie
(she/her)


On Sun, Apr 26, 2026 at 10:34 AM The Bay Architects via swarm-list <swarm...@alamedabees.org> wrote:
PS. The owner gave me a $50 check for our Association.
On Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 08:33:32 PM PDT, The Bay Architects <bay...@pacbell.net> wrote:


I have the bees. Though high in the tree. owner provided a tall ladder for me to get close and shake them into my bucket.  They went into the box readily and picked them up just now. Thank you hot line volunteers.

In the swarm catch I encountered an interesting situation for ACBA members to think about.  As I bagged the bees and was leaving, a member of the Marin Beekeepers Association was at the street and stopped me to inquire how I found out about the swarm. It seems that he received a notice from his group about the bees and had come to collect. The owner had first called MBA but no one picked up his call. So then he called our hotline and placed the request to which I had responded. I explained to MBA member that the owner had originally phoned Marin and upon receiving no answer to his call, he notified us. The owner must have left his address on the Marin line although he did not tell me this. I assume that he had left his address but upon receiving no confirmation that Marin had received and would follow through, contacted us. The beekeeper made some mildly disparaging remarks about how Alameda wouldn't want Marin beekeepers to come into their "territory" and we shouldn't have come to Marin. I really did not know how to respond except with curtesy and a nice good bye.

So a question. Should we have pursued this swarm? Or left it alone assuming that sooner or later the Marin people would find out about it and go after it? Are we going to establish territorial limits to our outreach, i.e., go after only east bay swarms. This is all so interesting.

Jim




On Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 10:21:53 AM PDT, Bay Area Beeks via swarm-list <swarm...@alamedabees.org> wrote:


Claimed - info to Jim

On Sat, Apr 25, 2026 at 10:21 AM The Bay Architects via swarm-list <swarm...@alamedabees.org> wrote:
On Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 09:33:09 AM PDT, Bay Area Beeks via swarm-list <swarm...@alamedabees.org> wrote:


Anyone willing to drive up to San Rafael, to collect a swarm?  Football size, arrived yesterday in tree near pool and pool house.  Its about 15 feet up and Jeff says he has a ladder that beekeeper can use to reach hive. (Ladder will be provided).  Picture will be coming soon.  I also told him to fill out form in Marin County Beekeeper Association Website so PLEASE CALL him before you head out.   

Bee Friendly,
Mimi

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety first! No swarm is worth risking injury to self, or host.
Make sure you're familiar with the swarm catching guidelines at
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-catching-guidelines/>.

To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, to learn how
to filter these messages, or to view the archives, see:
<https://www.alamedabees.org/swarm-list-tips/>.
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