Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Understudy on December 11, 2007, 04:04:16 pm
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aka another chapter in my redneck transformation. :lol:
I received a call about some bees in a sophet. I have removed bees before from sophets it is a lot of work. I was also told that these are high up. More work. It was a log cabin type home.
Sophet? On a log cabing type home. Lots of work and ugly messes and holes left behind.
Now I had another member of our beekeeping organization want to get these bees but his schedule got backed up and he didn't do a survey.
I went out and boy oh boy is this going to be fun. The bees are on the outside hanging down from the sophet. Much less work.
They are hanging from the sophet of the second story roof and the main roof is sheet metal with hex screws at a very steep incline.
A boom lift would be perfect except his property is on such an incline that i would not be able to get the lift level for it to work. I needed a way to secure myself under the beehive and not drill holes into his roof. That would be bad.
So I built a stand and secured it to the "siding" with 2.5" wood screws. It took me the better part of the day to build it and secure it . I also did some weight testing to make sure it would hold my big butt.
Now the fun part is it had rained the night before so the roof was a great slide and building it and putting it up there without breaking my neck was lots of fun, depending on how you view fun.
Also the window was locked because they had to go to work. So I couldn't use the window.
Since it took the better part of the day and I had to fly back to Salt Lake. I could not remove the bees but next weekend. I will be there. Getting the bees to make final sign offs on their new lease agreement and relocation.
Pictures are clickable:
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof/thumb_s2010001.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=0)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof/thumb_s2010003.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=1)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof/thumb_s2010004.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=2)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof/thumb_s2010005.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=3)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof/thumb_s2010006.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=4)
Apologies for the poor quality of the photos but the sun was at a horrible angle and I was a bit more concerned about not breaking my neck. :-D
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Brendhan,
That indeed is a lot of work, I'd rather just collect swarms off a tree or picnic bench. By the way, the correct spelling is " soffit " .
You're Welcome ;)
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Oh Brendhan - what you do for some bees! That is too much work for me, as I'd end up falling off the roof and breaking my neck. You are very creative
Scott
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you think you're upset at the lost jar of honey? wait until you get back and someone else has used your hard work to steal your bees.
so what is that address?
you need to get a roof ladder.
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Understudy,
You have good stories! ;) I would love to work a day of cut-outs with you.
Maybe if my sister ever moves to Florida like she keeps blathering about.......?
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You could knock it down with rocks :-D
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Brendhan,
That indeed is a lot of work, I'd rather just collect swarms off a tree or picnic bench. By the way, the correct spelling is " soffit " .
You're Welcome ;)
Thank you. You are correct about the spelling. I have a tendency to jump back to spelling it the wrong way.
soffit not sophet. :)
randydrivesabus
Roof ladders are great but I really don't like using them for cut outs. It is just a personal preference. If this was a hive on a branch I was cutting down the whole hive I would love the roof / extension ladder. They also make a roof ladder you can lay over the peak of the roof and it has catches on the other side. The problem with that one is that I would still be to short to reach the hive. I needed some type of device to help make me a bit taller.
Jerrymac
You try it first I will wait in the truck with doors and windows closed. :lol:
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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these are exposed!!!! I have removed these that was in the soffit with 40 foot extension latter, never had one exposed, that one would seem easy to me, had one on a 2 story house I removed with a 40 foot latter and the land was so steep I had to put 3 bricks under one side of the latter, that one would be a quickie from the pictures if you had the setup like a 40 foot latter :-P , shoot I cant tell what you dealing with from the pic's but just looks easy to me, wish I had one exposed like that, all mine I got to go digging for :-D but also if I was I was a world traveler I would wait also :-P lucky scoffer ;) :-D , hey when you get to salt lake tell the golfpsycho to pm me if you would :?
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these are exposed!!!! I have removed these that was in the soffit with 40 foot extension latter, never had one exposed, that one would seem easy to me, had one on a 2 story house I removed with a 40 foot latter and the land was so steep I had to put 3 bricks under one side of the latter, that one would be a quickie from the pictures if you had the setup like a 40 foot latter :-P , shoot I cant tell what you dealing with from the pic's but just looks easy to me, wish I had one exposed like that, all mine I got to go digging for :-D but also if I was I was a world traveler I would wait also :-P lucky scoffer ;) :-D , hey when you get to salt lake tell the golfpsycho to pm me if you would :?
The bees are in to far for the extension ladder to work properly. The angle is bad.
I messaged thegolfpsycho a few weeks back and never heard from him.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Hey understudy, what are you doing SLC. I am new to the forum, but have been reading for about two months. Long enough to know that you might need a few redneck lessons.. And boy can I help you out ther... I have three trucks all F-350's and a ranch to boot. So if you ever need a hand with the teruck stuff you just let me know. I am in Park City, about 45 min from the airport.
Now to the real stuff, I would love to collect a few swarms this coming year. Who is it and how do you get the word out that you are available? Who called you about this one we are looking at, Just thought I would ask. Thanks
Frantz
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Hey understudy, what are you doing SLC. I am new to the forum, but have been reading for about two months. Long enough to know that you might need a few redneck lessons.. And boy can I help you out ther... I have three trucks all F-350's and a ranch to boot. So if you ever need a hand with the teruck stuff you just let me know. I am in Park City, about 45 min from the airport.
Now to the real stuff, I would love to collect a few swarms this coming year. Who is it and how do you get the word out that you are available? Who called you about this one we are looking at, Just thought I would ask. Thanks
Frantz
Thanks, I hear nice things about park city also. If time comes up I would love to visit.
As far as collecting swarms and doing cut outs. Getting word out is number 1.
Join you local beekeepers club let them know. Do bee presentations at the schools and businesses and clubs(Kiwanis, Moose, etc). Set up a booth at the county fair.
Maintain a web site with an email about bees. Get in good with the local landscapers. They will be more than happy to tell you when bees are in a tree they aren't going to trim it until they are gone. Get with the Parks and Recreation department and let them know you work on bees. Get with other beekeepers and let them know if they are swamped you can give them a hand. That goes both ways refer business back to them when you are swamped. Talk to exterminator companies and tell them you will do humane removals. Share some honey with prior removal customers so they know who to refer to. Set up swarm traps with lemongrass oil bait and comb at prior removal sites. I run 80% on repeats. Get with the entomology department of the university and find out about their programs, let them know about your bees and removals. Post your information of removal websites like um um ......what is the naem of that site.....Oh yeah... no that's not it.........Beemaster.com, that one. There are other sites also.
And move to Florida were they have feral bees. Okay they are all AHB according to the scaremongers but they are bees.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Thanks Brendan, Great info. Consider it done. My uncle has a great place in West Palm..I will call him and let him know that I am packing all the kids in the F-350 and heading that way. Now is a good time to... 20-30 degrees F for a high this week.
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Brendhan, nice work on the stand. I wouldn't do that one on a ladder either. A good stable working platform is what you need for a job like that. Its very difficult to work off a ladder when doing a removal, with all the tools that are needed, from that height. That hive has a good mess of bees in it. The exposed hives are different than the ones in walls, the bees usually attach the combs to each other, a kind of hodgepodge, two hands are needed, often. Good luck and have fun.
Sincerely, JP
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Great pictures, very interesting to see the comb. It looks like they have been there for a while. Thanks again for the pictures. Tony
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Great pictures, very interesting to see the comb. It looks like they have been there for a while. Thanks again for the pictures. Tony
Depends on what you mean by a while. They have only been there for about 2 months. The comb is still very white. The owner told me how they all showed up one day and just gathered there. Told me how amazing it was to watch.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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When I was younger my father and I removed swarms. We did a few cut outs and there was comb. We never got a swarm outside that had comb. The pictures shows the comb very well. Please, Take more pictures of your future collections. Tony
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They have only been there for about 2 months. The comb is still very white. The owner told me how they all showed up one day and just gathered there. Told me how amazing it was to watch.
So what you are saying is they built that much comb from scratch, no foundation, no syrup feeding, in two months?
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Just one more month and they would have qualified for feral bee tax credit status :-D
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They have only been there for about 2 months. The comb is still very white. The owner told me how they all showed up one day and just gathered there. Told me how amazing it was to watch.
So what you are saying is they built that much comb from scratch, no foundation, no syrup feeding, in two months?
And in November and December no less. :)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Exposed hives are real beauties, real treasures. They're exposed observation hives. I love these!
Sincerely, JP
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Don't forget your empty frames and rubber bands to save as much comb as possible.
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Don't forget your empty frames and rubber bands to save as much comb as possible.
I consider those tools of the trade. :-D
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Wow how wonderful and look at all of that comb. And so late in the year. They say Fl has been warm and dry though and looks pritty green. I have on my wish list to get a few wooden Nuk boxes and a few cardboard one for swarms. That way they can be locked in and I can haul in my Highlander. When I get the hitch put on the SUV I will get a little flat bed trailer. I am jelous that you are getting bes I have to wait till April and most of my thing will be blooming already. Oh and be careful as that is steep and that platform for all of the work you are going to have to do I hope it is wide enough .
Angi
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Wow how wonderful and look at all of that comb. And so late in the year. They say Fl has been warm and dry though and looks pritty green. I have on my wish list to get a few wooden Nuk boxes and a few cardboard one for swarms. That way they can be locked in and I can haul in my Highlander. When I get the hitch put on the SUV I will get a little flat bed trailer. I am jelous that you are getting bes I have to wait till April and most of my thing will be blooming already. Oh and be careful as that is steep and that platform for all of the work you are going to have to do I hope it is wide enough .
Angi
Thank you, Florida is wonderful.
Yes, that roof is really steep. I am not afraid of heights but that roof had my attention because when it is wet it is slippery as all get up. The platform is 32x32 inches. It will be enough for me to stand properly and I can put the hive boxes on the edge toward the roof and they fit perfect. So it should be fine.
If it goes badly my next picture will be of me in a cast with lots of bee stings. ;)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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If it goes badly my next picture will be of me in a cast with lots of bee stings. ;)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
if you put the cast on first you wont get stung
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Great pictures!
Just a quick question? Ferrel Bee Tax Credit? What is that? And how do you qualify? Any break from Uncle Sam would be great! I never got that lucky, if you could say that, to find a hive like that. All of mine were cut outs, this past year. For a newbee, it was a challenge, alot of work but had alot of reward with the bees that I was luckey to get. Be carfull and dont get hurt. Good luck!
Marcus
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If it goes badly my next picture will be of me in a cast with lots of bee stings. ;)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
if you put the cast on first you wont get stung
Harder to move too--maybe a knights suit of armor would be better. Hey, if all else fails he can always put a ladder on top of the cab of his pickup--that way, if he drops anything it's already loaded and ready to go.
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I can't see the pics :-(
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I can't see the pics :-(
The thumbnails are there on page 1 in thumbnail form click on the small image and you will get the bigger image.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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No they aren't there like bassman said
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I just get a busy curser waiting for the pictures to load.
The hosting site must be temporarily off line.
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You did better that I did, I only get a big blank space.
I am on firefox, but Cindi's and others pics come thru OK
cheers
p
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I also use fire fox. The pictures are still there for me and they do work when I click on them.
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OK, so this is interesting. I cannot see the pictures, nor even thumbnails, all I see is a blank space too. Weird how some can see them and others cannot. :? Have a great and wonderful day. Cindi
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Hey Cindi,
I've got it. You have to disable the pop-up blocker.
In Firefox go to top menu bar and drop down the menu from 'Firefox' and select 'Preferences' and select 'Content' and uncheck the pop-up blocker
Remember to reinstate it when you are done.
Not sure why? Perhaps he loaded them on not using the Image Shack??
I dunno
cheers
peter
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I host them on my server. You can also go directly to the album.
http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/thumbnails.php?album=124 (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/thumbnails.php?album=124)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Received message "Server not found"
Steve
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Pop up Blocker? What pop up blocker? I never have pop ups. Didn't know there was something to enable or disable.
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I honestly don't know why some of you are receiving images and some are not. My DNS checks out and I had someone from england try to access my server with no issues. He can see the thumbnails and click the images. So I am kind of at a loss as to why some of you are having problems.
I am sorry to hear that some of you are not able to get through. I will see if I can't also get some of them onto image shack
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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(http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1769/s2010001xj8.th.jpg) (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s2010001xj8.jpg)
(http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/794/s2010003jm6.th.jpg) (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s2010003jm6.jpg)
(http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/794/s2010003jm6.th.jpg) (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s2010003jm6.jpg)
(http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/4108/s2010005ev2.th.jpg) (http://img45.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s2010005ev2.jpg)
(http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3826/s2010006pf7.th.jpg) (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s2010006pf7.jpg)
Here are the original pictures. I am sorry that you could not see them in the original post.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Hey,
N.P. Actually was a good lesson as some video sites I had same prob. and now I know how to work around
Hey Jerrymac: it works well then .... eh?
cheers
peter
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I finished the cut out. I did not get the queen. But I am leaving the hive on the stand. All the come and most of the bees are in there. They may abscond but I hope they will move her the five feet to the new box.
I will post the other pictures when I am out of the airport. They block port 21(ftp).
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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I fed a lot of christians to the lions in my previous life.
I am in Salt Lake. As soon as I am settled my wife calls me and says there is no internet at the house. So I try to access my server. No can do. We do all the standard stuff about reseting the modem and I have her check settings on the computer. No go. The lights on the modem aren't giving me the correct signals either.
So I am in SLC on the phone with Ma Bell and my wife is on my cell phone with me. We go through the standard crap with Ma Bell. I ask for a line check. They do it and can't synch with the modem. So I either have a bad modem or a bad line. I had the modem replaced last year so this should not be the problem.
As it stands right now the server cannot be accessed. So I can't upload my pictures to my server. Nor can I send them to the file server for my backup. I will probably toss them to image shack tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Hey Cindi,
I've got it. You have to disable the pop-up blocker.
In Firefox go to top menu bar and drop down the menu from 'Firefox' and select 'Preferences' and select 'Content' and uncheck the pop-up blocker
Remember to reinstate it when you are done.
Not sure why? Perhaps he loaded them on not using the Image Shack??
I dunno
cheers
peter
Peter, meant to make comment. I must have a different top menu bar than you. I tried to find the Preferences, but couldn't. Where I found the popup blocker was in the Tools, down to "options" and that is where I found the "Content" where the popup blocker was. Wonder why things are different. Have a great and wonderful day. Cindi
Edit, well, it didn't work anyways, I disabled the popup thing and I still couldn't see the images in that particular post. C. But I see them in the new post Brendon made.
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Brendhan, I am glad that you put the images onto Imageshack, because those pictures you took were worth viewing, something else eh? Beautiful and wonderful day. Cindi
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Well time for a follow up.
Some of you could not see the images. I had a DNS failure with bellsouth and did not realize. Because of the way my /etc/hosts file is configured I could still see them and so could some of the people I chat with in the UK. So I didn't realize there was a problem until later on.
I have part of my DNS back. I am still not getting a response on DNS server #2 and #3 but I am working on those.
In the meantime you should be able to see the images.
The pictures from the cut out:
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof121607/thumb_s2010037.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=7)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof121607/thumb_s2010038.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=8)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof121607/thumb_s2010039.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=9)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof121607/thumb_s2010040.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=10)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof121607/thumb_s2010041.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=11)
And now for the rest of the story.
I went and did the cut out the week before christmas. Everything went pretty well. As with many of my cut outs I did not actually see the queen. I had the bees in the box and I wanted to leave the box there until I got back so the bees were use to it. According to the homeowners bees were flying in and out of it for a few days. So I thought all was well.
The homeowner took off for there vacation just before I got back. I went to look at the hive and not a bee to be found in the hive. Completely abandon. They absconded.
The owner called me while I was there inspecting my now empty hive. She mentioned that ants came and infested the hive. I am not sure if the ants came first or just after the absconding.
But I was looking at the roof where the comb was. And there is traffic. The bees had moved up into the sophet. Bastards. darn resourceful little bastards. They annoy me but I gotta admit I respect them.
So I came back today. Just getting the sophet open was fun. And then it started raining and it was late. I had already done one other cutout today. I will come back to these guys.
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof010608/thumb_100_0667.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=0)
(http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/albums/steep_roof010608/thumb_100_0668.jpg) (http://www.brendhanhorne.com/coppermine_dir/displayimage.php?album=124&pos=1)
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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They did all that comb building in just a couple of weeks? Were they being fed or just working off the natural resources?
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Just working off natural resources.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Don't forget to use a queen includer this time, or at least cover the entrance with 1/4 inch mesh.
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Don't forget to use a queen includer this time, or at least cover the entrance with 1/4 inch mesh.
I am not not familar with a queen includer?
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Don't forget to use a queen includer this time, or at least cover the entrance with 1/4 inch mesh.
I am not not familar with a queen includer?
Sincerely,
Brendhan
It's an excluder used to keep the queen in the hive, between the bottom board and the hive body.
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Brendhan, I have to tell you that seeing the pictures that you and others put on the forum with regards to the cutouts are nothing short of incredible. I never realized how bees built their comb like they do when they are no inside a hive. That may seem rather odd, but just didn't have a clue. The pictures and wonderful and are such an excellent learning tool. Thank you for taking us inside the lives of our honeybees. They are far more interesting than I ever could have imagined. Keep on keepin' on. And have a great day, Cindi
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Don't forget to use a queen includer this time, or at least cover the entrance with 1/4 inch mesh.
I am not not familar with a queen includer?
Sincerely,
Brendhan
It's an excluder used to keep the queen in the hive, between the bottom board and the hive body.
D'oh
Yes, I use them but only when I am certain I have the queen. Otherwise no. Because I don't want to keep the queen out of the hive boxes.
I have good luck finding the queen in swarm traps but not so much in cut outs. But I bring them with me anyway.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Brendhan, I feel your pain, been there. I have pulled everything out before and had brood comb and the bees in a box before, but not the queen. On these ocassions when I hoped the queen would leave and enter the new hive, it never happens, and the bees abscond as well, to the same spot or one close to it, and its just a pain getting them out then, but stuff happens. Sometimes you don't have another queen available so leaving the hive there is an option, but generally speaking, when I don't get her, I transfer the hive that same day, and requeen or let them make a new one or do a combine. But that's me. Good luck getting the queen on the trip back.
Sincerely, JP
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Well after doing my survey at house in Port St. Lucie (The media smells blood, Bees in the News). I went down to complete this. I have never had a more depressing moment in a cut out. I was removing the queen and had my expert queen spoter with me (my wife). And I not the expert spotted the queen. I tried to brush her into my hand. Do you remember how I said this was steep roof?
She fell out of my hand and slid down the roof. :(
And now Janel, myself, and Doug(homeowner) are looking through the grass trying to spot the queen. After twenty minutes we gave up.
My heart sank. I just ruined this hive. :(
I moved all the bees out of the soffit and into the hive body. Surrounded it with cinnamon. I will come back after I get back from Dallas, TX. I will combine it with one of my hives.
Sorry no pictures.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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That is such a drag Brendhan. I have had things like that happen as well. She may just go right back to your new hive. I removed a hive about 4 yrs ago that was in a wall. My nephew assisted me on this one. Found the queen late in the game, was trying to cage her and she flew off. I was totally elated when I caught her and when she flew off, I could have just jumped off a cliff! I knew there was a chance she would fly back so I tried not to freak too much. Now, that day was not a good one, it was hot! and I had major robbing issues from my best guess, two other hives in the area, it was late summer, so we had dearth issues to contend with. There were just thousands of bees all around us that day. I worked long and hard on this job and sweat 'til the cows came home. As we were about to give up, my nephew, who had very limited experience at the time, says hey, I think I see the queen by the front door, come take a look. Sure enough, there she was. I was lucky that day. I really hope you get her Brendhan, best of luck.
Sincerely, JP
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Oh my Lord, I thought you meant your wife slid off the roof... My heart just sank, needless to say I was happy to keep reading and find out it was just the queen. Sorry to hear about the troubles, media included. I have to ask ( I am new to this remember), what is the cinamon about? I am looking forward to doing my first cutouts this year and have learned so much from you guys (thanks). Never heard of the cinamon thing though? Thanks
F
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If I do a cut out and I intend to leave the hive at the location of the cut out. I will sprinkle cinnamon around the hive and the legs of the stand to keep ants off. There is usually quite a bit of honey from a cut out and the ants will invade forcing the bees to abscond. Cinnamon helps keep the ants at bay. You need quite a bit of it. Just a small lite sprinkle won't cut it. Also try ot clean up as much of the honey as you can and locate it further away from the hive. The ants will go for easy access food first. And by the time they are done with that the bees may have cleaned up.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
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Oh my Lord, I thought you meant your wife slid off the roof... My heart just sank, needless to say I was happy to keep reading and find out it was just the queen.
F
Oh man!!!! Now this must be the sick side of me showing up. I am sorry, but that made me laugh, that squeeky little laugh so no one can really hear me, eeeks.....me bad.
Brendhan, bummer......JP, bummer....but an good end that must have made your day.
I hope that things go well with this colony. It would surely be nice if the queen came back, the very next day. Good luck with that one. Wishing it well. Have a great day in this life. Cindi
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Its ok cindi, I laughed pretty hard as well once I got over the shock. I was just picturing my wife and I after convincing her everything would be ok, up on the roof doing a cut out and then Whoosh!! down she goes. I would never show my face again.... She does so much for me chickens, quail, bees etc. I was just going through the scene in my mind as I was reading.....
Lots of laughs here thats for sure,,, Hopefully with no one getting hurt!!
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Me too!!! All I could think was the wife bit the dust.. :shock: :shock: My wife beat the pan when I had a swarm last year but that is about all she was willing to do. Sounds like you have a good wife.