I have been asked to remove two hives out of a old derelict workshop. One is in a small cable drum so that is easy. The other is in the crankcase of an old air compressor. It has two inspection holes in the crankcase about 4 X 3 inches. It is accessible and the openings about 18 inches off the ground. The covers have been removed and the bee's are using one as an entrance. The preference is to get the bee's out into a box and not poison them.
My idea so far is to block off the entrance that they aren't using it and put something like a 4 inch pipe from the used entrance into a box that has some some frames with honey in it and hopefully the bees will start working the frames and the queen will move into the box as well.
Any suggestions? I have not done a removal like this before.
I believe I have till January to get them into a box before the building is demolished.