So far, the suggestions have to do with the location of the hive.
I just checked and the hives are 16 feet from the door. Really I need to leave them on the deck - I have a backyard, but if I put them in the yard, my yard guys won't mow the grass for me - they've declared that definitively - and selfishly, I love watching the bees from my table on the sunporch while I eat my meals.
I've had squirrels in the house, a wren in the house, and I was able to use controlled pathways for the squirrel to get him out and a broom waving while all possible doors were open to get the wren out. Moths, ants, etc are all visitors that I ignore.
Given that the hives aren't going to move, I'd love to know if anyone has an idea for how to get the bee out without killing her or letting her starve or die of loneliness which is the current situation.
Linda T in Atlanta