Beekeeping

[CloverKnollFarms]

I just got a call from my church. There is a hive that has made its home in a hollow tree in the playground area. I've got to go check it out. The goal is to save the bees and the tree.

That is a tall order. I got a call today for another cutout. Still need to see the details on it. We have added 6 colonies this year, maybe 7 now.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I just got a call from my church. There is a hive that has made its home in a hollow tree in the playground area. I've got to go check it out. The goal is to save the bees and the tree.

Are you going to attempt a trap out?

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Yes. It's a gigantic old oak. Based on the activity I saw I think it's a big established hive inside the tree. Although it was just noticed this week, so maybe it's not got a lot of comb in it yet? There is every possibility that it has been there all spring also.

I think I'm going to assemble a single or double deep and give it a light spray of swarm commander. I'll set it up a few feet away and smoke them for a while to see what happens. I read about making a "1 way valve" out of wire screen and tunneling them to the new hive with it. But if I can slowly increase smoke until they think they are actually on fire I hope I can get the queen to walk out. The opening is 2 very narrow slits that are each 6-10" tall. I'm hoping I can smoke low on the bottom one and they can exit out of the top one.

Whether we are successful or not I think maybe spray foam is the best bet to seal the hole up?

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I went and looked at it at lunch. My wife and I will start on it later today.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Once the bees are out, an expanding foam would be best. Sounds like an adventure trying to get the queen to leave and the bees to abandon their young.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Yeah I'm hoping I can get the queen. But the tree is the priority.

 

[Torvy]

Wife checked the hive yesterday. Not enough production to get honey in July. May try in October. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Wife checked the hive yesterday. Not enough production to get honey in July. May try in October. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Beekeeping 101, you don't really get honey the first year. The bees will need it for the dearth. Not much flow between now and winter.

New colonies start at a real disadvantage, and need time to build up. Next year will be much different

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Found this little girl wandering around outside Costco today

 

[BackRoad]

Wait...just cause it's Costco, doesn't mean it's a girl!

And how do you know it's a Queen for sure?