How NOT to Catch a Bee Swarm | Homestead Mishaps

Homestead Beekeeping

Original post: May 29, 2026

Think you know how to catch a bee swarm? Think again. In this video, Bren and Chuck share a raw, unedited look at a beekeeping “fiasco” that turned a simple spring chore into a full-blown afternoon activity. From using the wrong saw to accidentally dropping the queen, watch how we went from a perfect plan to a chaotic reality.

If you are a new beekeeper or just love watching seasoned homesteaders figure things out on the fly, this story is for you. We break down what went wrong and the creative (and slightly desperate) solution we used to save the colony. It’s real problem-solving in action.

Don’t let a bad day stop your homestead progress. Learn from our mistakes so you don’t have to make them yourself. If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at real farm life, hit that subscribe button and join our community of practical self-reliant growers.

In this video:

Our emergency hive setup and the return of the hive to the bee yard

Bees decide to swarm on a cold day

The problems when you don’t have the right tools or dull tools

How we recovered a colony when the queen fell to the ground

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beekeeping gloves — I have two pairs of these (one white pair and one brown pair) and they are great gloves. The leather is easy to move in and they “seal” your wrists off. The gloves are offered in a number of sizes which is what really got my attention (as a woman with small hands, getting gloves that are small enough is sometimes hard). I mainly use them when moving hives or more difficult tasks where I don’t want to worry about my hands getting stung. For frame inspection, I usually switch to a nitrile glove for easier movement. -Bren

natural beekeeping — This is one of my favorite beekeeping books, and one I return to often. As someone who grows fruits and vegetables using organic methods, why shouldn’t I also practice organic beekeeping? If you are new to beekeeping, this is a great book to have, too. -Bren

This frame grabber is the best one I’ve ever owned. It is pricier than the others, but it has outlasted and is more reliable than any others I’ve had. Well worth having. It is great if you have trouble gripping frames by hand and it definitely cuts down on inspection time. I highly recommend it. -Bren

Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania. We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania. Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well. – Bren and Chuck

Disclaimer: Pioneer Mountain Homestead blogs, vlogs, opinions, and videos are for entertainment purposes only. Always read and understand safety guidelines when using any information shared by Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC.

Other products or information you may be interested in:

josh and the bees — Honeybee Swarm Capture with Josh from Blue Spruce Bee Company

thumbnail maximize homestead efficiency zones — Maximize Your Efficiency at Your Homestead

Nigerian Dwarf Goat Kid – Check out this short video for some goat inspiration!

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