Joe Komperda fell into beekeeping because of his wife Debbie. She had been fascinated by bees for quite some time. It’s more than eight years since Joe saw an ad in his Parker, Colorado newspaper for a bee club meeting, taking place in his neighborhood that night. He and Debbie decided to join. “One of the first things you learn about beekeeping is swarms,” Joe explains. “Bee’s naturally swarm to split the hive to create a new colony.” A swarm of bees, often clinging to tree branches or huddled underneath eaves, are looking for a new home. While a swarm is generally a scary sight for the average non-beekeeper and the first thought is to have it removed, these bees are what Joe and the beekeeping community call ‘freebees.’ Another beehive awaits.
A swarm is exactly how Joe broke into beekeeping. The Bee Club put out the call, needing a swarm removed. No one was available, and the low country was expecting the year’s first snowfall, something an exposed swarm can’t survive. Debbie couldn’t bear the thought of an entire bee colony dying in the cold. Having no gear of their own, Joe and Debbie set out to borrow suits, a ladder, hoses, and a bee vacuum. Yes, there are bee vacuums for such an