Beekeeping

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I did mine slightly different than you did. My thought process was to get them out of the tree and not let them back in. This is ugly and I have better ideas for the next time.... I created a funnel with the exit far from the tree. It is mesh so they can smell the tree entrance at the base of the funnel but can't get in to it. They are not smart enough to go way to the end of the funnel to go back in, since there is no smell there. I was able to get the majority of the bees from the tree but was not able to get the Queen.

With your funnel being relatively short and solid I'll be curious to see if they are enticed to stay in the new hive box. I'm afraid it may just turn out to be a smaller entrance for them. Since your funnel is solid they will smell home and be able to go in where they smell it.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I did mine slightly different than you did. My thought process was to get them out of the tree and not let them back in. This is ugly and I have better ideas for the next time.... I created a funnel with the exit far from the tree. It is mesh so they can smell the tree entrance at the base of the funnel but can't get in to it. They are not smart enough to go way to the end of the funnel to go back in, since there is no smell there. I was able to get the majority of the bees from the tree but was not able to get the Queen.

With your funnel being relatively short and solid I'll be curious to see if they are enticed to stay in the new hive box. I'm afraid it may just turn out to be a smaller entrance for them. Since your funnel is solid they will smell home and be able to go in where they smell it.

View attachment 5770676

We will see! If I don't get bees populating the box in a couple days, I can change the funnel type. The funnel just slides up and out.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Spent a little time building a stand for the box. Still need to seal up the secondary entrance a bit better after dark tonight. Hopefully in 24 hours the box goes on.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I got the secondary entrance a little better closed up. A little hardware cloth, foam, and black plastic to keep it darkened.

Weather permitting, I'll get the box installed tonight!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

In the process of extracting about 100 pounds of honey that the bees stored last year. I'm going to keep another 60 pounds in frames in reserve in case I have a few colonies that need a boost for winter.

This will bring the 2025 bottling up to 250 pounds.

 

[ponytug]

It is so clean!

Kudus to you for having such a clean workshop and processes.

All the best, Peter

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

It is so clean!

Kudus to you for having such a clean workshop and processes.

All the best, Peter

Thank you. I'm not one who works in chaos. Always careful planning!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

The glare off my skull is intense