it sounds like a queen was ousted from an older hive and when she fled from
the older queen, her entourage followed her, causing a swarm. If you'd been
able to look inside the cluster of bees, you'd have discovered they were
protecting a larger queen. Mother of all their children in their new hive.
Holler at BeeCrofter, he'll either shoot me down on this one or confirm it.
They've now found themselves a home somewhere. Shame you didn't have some
boxes for them to move into. But you're right, Africanized bees would have
attacked when the power tools were in use. Consider yourself blessed. An
alarming proportion of our European honey bees have died horrible deaths
thanks to the Asian mite and Asian fungus that causes deformaties. The bees
that were left behind will either find the rest of the new hive or die soon.

madgardener
"Garland Grower" wrote in message
...
We recently were lucky enough to have a "mess" of honey bees (we think)
claim the nook of a CrapeMyrtle Tree in our backyard. I noticed them
Saturday morning while building a compost bin in the backyard out by the
alley. At first I thought it was a bird's nest because I saw this brown
glob under the leaves. After a little closer inspection I discovered they
were bees and went to tell my husband and the guy friend that was helping
me
build the composter. Well, my friend got all freaked out and thought they
were killer bees and wanted me to call someone to have them removed. We
were using drills and saws and making all kinds of noise that day about
five
feet from the nest. After researching on the Web a little I don't think
they were Africanized bees or I think the buzzing of the power tools would
have annoyed them to attack. Anyway, they stayed over the weekend and we
all speculated on what they were doing and why. Sunday night they were
gone. Now, there are about four bees, I saw two today on the same spot on
the tree where there were hundreds only yesterday. I have never seen this
many bees close up and I wondered if the Beekeepers out there could advise
on what they might have been doing and why.
Thanks for all your wonderful information and help!
--
Rita
Garland, TX
7a-8b