<div dir="ltr"><div><p style="margin:6px 0px;font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;color:rgb(29,33,41);font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="font-family:inherit">Neighbors!</span></p><p style="margin:6px 0px;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;letter-spacing:normal"></span></p><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">It's nearly Spring which means longer days, flowers blooming and bees <span class="gmail-il">swarming</span>.</font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">If you see a <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span> of bees, or even think you might, <span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px">please take a breath, then call, text or email the DC <span class="gmail-il">Swarm</span> Squad and we'll send an experienced beekeeper to come over and collect the bees. Call/text (202) 255 4318, or email</span><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"> </span><a href="http://dcbees-at-dcbeekeepers.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(54,88,153);font-family:inherit;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px;text-decoration-line:none">dcbees-at-dcbeekeepers.org</a>.  </font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px">The <span class="gmail-il">Swarm</span> Squad is a group of ~75 DC beekeepers that saves <span class="gmail-il">swarms</span> of honey bees in the city (JUST the city): it is a volunteer effort. We do this free of charge but require permission to enter private property. We do not remove bees from inside structures, but can recommend help.</span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px">For more information visit our <span class="gmail-il">Swarm</span> info page:</span><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"> </span><a href="http://www.dcbeekeepers.org/do-you-have-swarm-honey-bees" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(54,88,153);font-family:inherit;letter-spacing:-0.12px;text-decoration-line:none">http://www.dcbeekeepers.org/do-you-have-<span class="gmail-il">swarm</span>-honey-bees</a><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px">(“Do You Have A <span class="gmail-il">Swarm</span> of Honey Bees?”)</span><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px">Thank you,</span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px">Jan</span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><a href="http://secondstoryhoney.com/" target="_blank">secondstoryhoney.com</a> - brighten your day!</span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><br></span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(29,33,41);font-family:"SF Optimized",system-ui,-apple-system,system-ui,".SFNSText-Regular",sans-serif;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:-0.12px"><span style="letter-spacing:-0.12px"><b>Will the bees in the <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span> sting me? Are they dangerous?</b></span></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)">When you see a <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span> of bees clinging to a branch or lamppost do not be afraid. Bees in this state are least likely to sting because they do not have any hive to protect. Instead, they are hanging out in a cluster with tummies full of honey (that they took from their previous home) surrounding and protecting their queen who is in the deep center of the <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span>. </span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><b>How long will the bee <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span> stay in one place?</b></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)">They are hanging out waiting for their scout bees to come back and tell their sisters if they've found a comfy new home. Bee <span class="gmail-il">swarms</span> may hang out for hours or as long as a day or two. While they are there please do not approach or disturb the bees. The bees will leave you alone if you leave them alone. Believe me, they are just as eager to leave your tree/lamppost/porch overhang as you are for them to go. <span style="width:16px;min-height:16px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;background-image:url("https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yB/r/WLldfU48zh6.png");background-repeat:no-repeat"></span></span><br><br><b>Why do bees <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span>?</b><br><br style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)">Bees may <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span> for a variety of reasons - they've outgrown their current home; their home was destroyed; they are searching for a nicer geographic location; or maybe because it is spring they just felt like moving to better real estate. <span class="gmail-il">Swarming</span> is a means for the honeybee colonies to reproduce and proliferate.</span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><b>Do all beehives <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span>?</b></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:15.5556px;background-color:rgb(250,251,251)">No. Beekeepers try to encourage bees to stay put by making sure the hives they care for are well-situated, have plenty of food and water to eat if natural sources are low (e.g., drought), and have plenty of room to expand in their hive. Even the best beekeepers can't always control the <span class="gmail-il">swarm</span> impulse in their hives.</span><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Are bees still in trouble?</b></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Native pollinators are under increasing pressure. Honeybees in managed colonies are struggling.  Scientists and beekeepers think all sorts of things factor into it, including climate change, monocultural agriculture (with attendant pesticides), a resurgent pest population, and pest-borne viruses. Many beekeepers in the city have lost their bees even though we are trying to build naturally resistant colonies and treat our bees as treasures, not commodities.<br></font></div><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px"><div style="font-size:13px"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div style="font-size:13px"><font color="#000000" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Please remember: honeybees are under extreme threat, and those <span class="gmail-il">swarms</span> represent </font><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">the unique populations that have not only figured out how to survive pests, </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">pesticides, and climate change, but THRIVE. We beekeepers can grab those </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">bees</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">, </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">give them safe homes somewhere else, and help ensure a healthier future where </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">honeybees can continue to make our food supply and green spaces grow. It is a </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">kind of compliment to DC that we have a place where honeybees and people can collaborate so well.</span></div></span></div><font color="#888888"><div><br></div><div><br></div></font><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium">Jan Poston Day</div><div style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium"><a href="mailto:jpostonday@gmail.com" target="_blank">jpostonday@gmail.com</a></div><div style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium">(202) 494-7425</div><div style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium">twitter:  jpostonday</div><div style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium">LinkedIn:  <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/janpostonday" title="View public profile" name="SignatureSanitizer_SafeHtmlFilter_webProfileURL" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;border-style:initial;border-color:initial;outline-width:initial;outline-style:none;outline-color:initial;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-size:13px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,'Nimbus Sans L',sans-serif;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color: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