While at work yesterday, I received a call from one of our city's Parks and Recreation supervisors. They were trimming tree limbs that overhung a trail and cut into an external hive. The hive was built out in the open and had the shape of a basketball and about the same size. I had absolutely no gear with me whatsoever, but I went anyways. (I was at work myself). Long story short, I waded into what has to be the most gentle bees I have ever seen. I had bees crawling all over my uniform, gunbelt, hair etc, but never took one sting. Park & Rec offered up a large bucket with lid so I began to pick up the pieces that the chain saw had obliterated. I found the queen laying on the ground surrounded by a baseball size entourage and place her in the bucket.(Very dark colored) Shortly thereafter, the marching began. The bees from this feral hive are a variety of colors but very obviously came from natural cell size combs. They are Italian colored, Caucasian, and a few jet black colored bees. I brought them home,transferred the combs to a 5 frame nuc rubber band style and placed a frame feeder in. They had some brood and food stores, so I didnt cage the queen (didnt think they would be to keen on leaving the brood behind). This morning, they were bringing in pollen by the basket full and all seems well. Now if I can just get these girls through the winter.
Topic: Did a cutout yesterday... (Read 1959 times)