Swarm Questions
Questions a beekeeper will ask before responding to a swarm call:
- Are you sure they are honeybees? (for example: Black & white, or black & yellow? Fuzzy or shiny?)
- Where is the swarm? (for example: in a tree; on a structure; inside the wall of a building; in the ground; in a gray paper nest). Note: If bees are within a structure, this is an extraction, which requires very different expertise. See NPBA list for name of person specializing in extractions.
- How long have they been there?
- How big is the swarm? (for example: softball-size; basketball-size?)
- Is a ladder or other equipment needed to reach the swarm?
- Is there a ladder or other equipment on site, or does the beekeeper need to bring it?
- What is a working phone number for the person with the swarm?
- What is the physical address and helpful directions? (for example: large oak tree to right of driveway; under picnic table behind red barn)
Swarm Call List
| Name | Phone Numbers | Times Available | Area Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Williams | cell:540-270-5609, home:540-937-4548 | anytime | Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Madison, Orange. Does extractions, construction expertise, ability to repair. |
| Glen Burke | cell:540-522-5948 | anytime | Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock |
| Glenn Garasic | cell:540-718-9820 | anytime | Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock |
| Danny Smedley | cell:540-222-4994 | anytime | Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock |
| Tom Johnson | home:540-987-8751, cell:540-219-9180 | anytime | Culpeper, Rappahannock |
| Bob Byrne | home:540-937-2139, cell:540-270-8369 | most times | Culpeper (northern), Fauquier, Rappahannock (Amissville area) |
| Lindsey Lee | cell:540-212-3211 | evenings/weekends | Culpeper, Orange |
| Helen Gardis | cell:540-903-6309 | anytime | Culpeper (southern), Orange (western) |
| Roger Williams | cell:802-355-9933 | anytime | Culpeper, Orange, Madison |
| Tom Dreier | cell:614-783-8595 | anytime | Culpeper (southern), Madison (northern) |
| James Smith | cell:540-222-3104, home: 540-321-4838 | anytime | Culpeper |
| Doug Higginbotham | home:540-347-1542 | anytime | Fauquier, especially Warrenton |
This information is provided as a public service. It is not an endorsement by NPBA, and all transactions are private arrangements between individuals.