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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: OzBuzz on March 21, 2010, 02:57:44 am

Title: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 21, 2010, 02:57:44 am
Hey Everybody,

Does anybody know the whereabouts of a feral hive in the general Melbourne area but can't be bothered doing the work to get it? I'm interested in having a crack...

Cheers
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on March 21, 2010, 09:00:42 am
I know of one, I'm just waiting for the woman to call me back. It's in a possum box 3 metres up a tree.

See my post for "more than I can chew" for the pics.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 21, 2010, 09:23:38 am
I know of one, I'm just waiting for the woman to call me back. It's in a possum box 3 metres up a tree.

See my post for "more than I can chew" for the pics.


Yeah, i saw that! very impressive! but you already have dibbs on it  :) don't wanna cut your comb  :-D sorry! couldn't help myself - bad joke i know
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on March 21, 2010, 11:49:03 pm
I heard this morning of another possible swarm at my daughters school. I saved one late last year from there. If I get out of work early enough, I will have a look tonight. You can have that if you like.  :)

My wife had a quick look this morning saw plenty of bees, but could see where they had their base.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 22, 2010, 12:02:45 am
Mate that would be awesome! would have to wait a few days though as i don't have any of my gear yet  :(
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 22, 2010, 07:03:39 am
I heard this morning of another possible swarm at my daughters school. I saved one late last year from there. If I get out of work early enough, I will have a look tonight. You can have that if you like.  :)

My wife had a quick look this morning saw plenty of bees, but could see where they had their base.

Any joy with this one Phil?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on March 22, 2010, 11:52:48 am
Well, I dropped in this evening (about 7) and didn't see a single bee. :'(

I'll ask them to be a bit more specific as to where they thought they saw bees. Unless it was a late swarm and they had moved on by the time I got there...
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 22, 2010, 06:33:44 pm
Well, I dropped in this evening (about 7) and didn't see a single bee. :'(

I'll ask them to be a bit more specific as to where they thought they saw bees. Unless it was a late swarm and they had moved on by the time I got there...

Bummer - why can't warms just stay put! i mean we're going to put them in a warm happy place where they don't have to worry about much! albeit we will pinch their food every now and again but some kids pay board when they live at home - they can just consider that board!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 28, 2010, 09:02:19 pm
So does anybody know of any feral hive removals that people want done?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 28, 2010, 11:19:37 pm
Mate that would be awesome! would have to wait a few days though as i don't have any of my gear yet  :(

I've got all the gear now so ready to roll!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on March 29, 2010, 09:21:08 am
Unfortunately you're at the end of the season for swarms, unless you've got a mandarin and macadamia next to each other...

You will probably have to wait for spring now.  The bee club link I sent you earlier has a listing of people who will collect swarms. You could sign up for that. I don't remember there being anyone up your way offering to collect. No competition!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on March 29, 2010, 06:37:31 pm
Thanks Phil,

I'll do that - cheers...

I was also meaning any hives that had overtaken weird objects around their property that they wanted gotten rid of  :) me has the hive numbers 'growth' bug  :-D
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 11, 2010, 06:23:21 pm
Went to get, what i thought, tobe my first ever swarm/cut out yesterday - turned out to bee European Wasps! Didn't even fire up the smoker!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 12, 2010, 01:05:52 am
Yeah, I've seen a lot of those around this year.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 12, 2010, 01:51:20 am
Yeah, I've seen a lot of those around this year.

Yeah they reckon there's a plague of them! how annoying though going out pumped to have my first feral collection - and it's european wasps!

Did you ever have any joy with that feral in the bird/possum box?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 13, 2010, 04:47:00 am
Nah, She hasn't called again. Don't worry there'll be plenty more where that came from in Spring!

If I can find somewhere to house them, I'm thinking of building up my hive number this year.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 13, 2010, 07:07:14 pm
Nah, She hasn't called again. Don't worry there'll be plenty more where that came from in Spring!

If I can find somewhere to house them, I'm thinking of building up my hive number this year.

Bummer - and i can't wait for spring! i'm looking forward to getting in to the nitty gritty of bee wrangling

That offer is still open mate once i get the a-ok from the council... there's more than enough land there for a few hundred hives!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 14, 2010, 08:23:12 am
Sweet! 8-)
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: iddee on April 14, 2010, 10:58:42 pm
Hey, you guys come on over, We've got plenty enough spring to share some with you.  :evil:   :-D   :-D
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 16, 2010, 02:24:32 am
darn! Just had a call to "come out and remove bees out of my back garden". It only took about 3 seconds to decide they were those darned European wasps again. And I was just thinking it was time to get another hive going. Oh well, spring is not THAT far away!

Anyway I need time to build another couple of boxes to put them in. Seems like I am always building boxes.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 16, 2010, 08:20:38 am
Deja vu - european wasps suck!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 19, 2010, 11:20:21 am
Another call out today, another European wasp nest.  :-x

"Oh, they definitely are bees"

Yeah, right.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 19, 2010, 09:07:31 pm
That sucks! i'm definitely feeling for you mate... i'm chewing at the bit for my first real call out
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 27, 2010, 05:02:31 am
Another call.

I'm more hopefull this time as it's for abandoned hive boxes. The owner of the property thinks there may be a colony in one of them and says that there are no rego numbers on the boxes. Sounds like a bit of fun anyway.

As it's a bit out of town so I'm going up there on the weekend to check it out.

That list I sent you the link for is paying off ok. One call a week so far. Pity 2 have been for wasps! Come spring though I think I'm going to be swimming in them.  :)
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on April 27, 2010, 10:52:26 am
Another call.

I'm more hopefull this time as it's for abandoned hive boxes. The owner of the property thinks there may be a colony in one of them and says that there are no rego numbers on the boxes. Sounds like a bit of fun anyway.

As it's a bit out of town so I'm going up there on the weekend to check it out.

want a hand :)
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 27, 2010, 08:50:31 pm
Not sure yet, I don't expect to be able to collect them immediately as when I get there they will probably be out foraging and I wouldn't want to risk loosing too many bees out of a single box colony at this time of the year. Also if I bring a weak hive home I could face the other bees robbing them. The other concern is I don't know their disease status.

At the moment I plan on just checking out what is there. I will take all my stuff with me just in case.

PM your number to me just in case.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 27, 2010, 09:28:22 pm
Sounds good - where are they located? I'll send you a PM in a sec
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on April 27, 2010, 09:45:16 pm
Whittlesea
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 27, 2010, 11:31:31 pm
Awesome - nice and close for you
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on April 28, 2010, 09:30:22 pm

PM your number to me just in case.


Did you get my PM mate?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 01, 2010, 11:02:05 am
Well, I'm afraid that was another disappointment.  :(

I got there and I could only see a couple of bees hanging around. The boxes were a bit deteriorated and lids didn't fit properly. The grass was long and I couldn't see which side of the boxes had the opening. Apparently the hives have been there for quite some time. They belonged to the ex-boyfriend of the previous owners daughter and they had no contact details nor knowledge of his whereabouts.

Given I had no idea if the hives were nasty, I donned the gear and lit the smoker just in case. I gave the lids a quick puff or four. I heard nothing at all. Not a good sign. So I flipped the lids and both hives were a mess. 10 Framers fully framed in the bottom boxes but the supers just had a handfull in each. There was no intact comb in any of the frames and the only signs of life I saw was a harlequin beetle, a wax moth, some slaters and a few ants.

My recommendation to him was to just burn them.

Oh well, spring is only 4 short moths away!  :)  Swarms!

Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on May 02, 2010, 02:43:46 am
Phil, got your voicemail... Sorry I haven't returned your call yet. Bummer about the hive! The comb you might have been able to salvage could have been good for some swarm traps maybe?  
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 02, 2010, 06:37:13 pm
Nah, the comb was crumbled and there was wax moth casings and all the other bugs living in there. I'ld be just asking for trouble.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on May 02, 2010, 09:45:24 pm
Definitely better to be safe than sorry...
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on May 18, 2010, 11:21:15 am
Anybody seen any?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 19, 2010, 04:57:54 am
Fresh in today.

(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7131/18052010109.th.jpg) (http://img225.imageshack.us/i/18052010109.jpg/)

(http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7872/18052010110.th.jpg) (http://img265.imageshack.us/i/18052010110.jpg/)

A bit hard to see the entrance they are using because the grapefruit tree is shading it, but they are living in the wall cavity of a bungalow. The wall is old cement sheeting (great asbestos!) which will need to come off to access the comb. The number of bees makes it look to me like it is a decent size hive.

I'm thinking that this is a job for the new bee vac! Yee Ha! I haven't decided when I'm going to do the cut out yet. I still have to get a few things together.


Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on May 19, 2010, 10:17:41 pm
Fresh in today.

(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7131/18052010109.th.jpg) (http://img225.imageshack.us/i/18052010109.jpg/)

(http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7872/18052010110.th.jpg) (http://img265.imageshack.us/i/18052010110.jpg/)

a bit hard to see the entrance they are using because the grapefruit tree is shading it, but they are living in the wall cavity of a bungalow. The wall is old cement sheeting (great asbestos!) which will need to come off to access the comb. The number of bees makes it look to me like it is a decent size hive.

I'm thinking that this is a job for the new bee vac! Yee Ha! I haven't decided when I'm going to do the cut out yet. I still have to get a few things together.

Why is it that you get all the fun stuff  :) be brave! are you sure it's asbestos? Would be fun i'm sure to pull it off the wall and get all of the comb... if you need a hand heheheh
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 20, 2010, 02:48:48 am
Any cement sheeting older than about 30 years is going to have asbestos in. Will let you know if I think it's going to be a 2 man job.

It's not far from work down in Moorabin but beeing a cut-out it means it's going to be a weekend job.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on May 21, 2010, 01:57:28 am
Any cement sheeting older than about 30 years is going to have asbestos in. Will let you know if I think it's going to be a 2 man job.

It's not far from work down in Moorabin but beeing a cut-out it means it's going to be a weekend job.


The old sheets weren't that big though so by rights if you were careful at removing the nails, most of the nails used to hold those sheets on were the large headed ones which are pretty easy to grab with pliers, you should be able to take the sheet off in one piece, get the comb and the bees, and then put the sheet back on. Just wear a mask to be on the safe side...

More than happy to help if you need it mate...
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 21, 2010, 03:25:31 am
I've already told him I'm not putting them back.  ;)

Looks like I'm going Sunday. Don't know what time yet, it will depend on when I finish the vac box. I've changed the design in my head after some feed back from the gurus.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on May 21, 2010, 08:10:27 am
I hope it goes well mate.. Take plenty of pictures. Are you getting all these referrals off the Beek register you mentioned to me?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 21, 2010, 10:59:29 am
I forgot to ask with the others, but this one certainly was from that site.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on May 21, 2010, 07:50:14 pm
I definitely have to register on it...

I read somewhere you have some KI Ligurians Phil-how do you find them?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: westmar on May 22, 2010, 06:51:38 am
hi
   i would also talk to the fire wood cutters,i got two hives  out separate trees week ago .from a post cutter.i left my boxes there heading back this week to pick them up,didn't see any queens.young feller told me plenty activity at hives.if there no queens i join them up with a weak hive.ma by even let tree loppers no .at times they would have come across bees
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on May 23, 2010, 02:26:06 am
I'll do that, thanks westmar... How was the cutout Phil?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 24, 2010, 05:20:32 am
 :(

I was still trying to finish the vac and ran out of time. I now have to wait for a good time to collect them now.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a cra
Post by: OzBuzz on May 24, 2010, 09:49:32 am
Bummer... Weather doesn't look like it's going to be flash for the near future atleast... I went in to my hive in Saturday-amazing seeing the differences as they're gearing down for winter-very little brood, mostly capped/almost capped honey and pollen. Lots and lots of bees!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 24, 2010, 10:43:45 am
I read somewhere you have some KI Ligurians Phil-how do you find them?

They seem more friendly than the caucasians. Less prone to attack if I take too long with the hive open.

They didn't fill up the super as quick as the other hive, but they started off smaller. Besides the colour, I guess not alot.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on May 27, 2010, 03:30:23 am
I read somewhere you have some KI Ligurians Phil-how do you find them?

They seem more friendly than the caucasians. Less prone to attack if I take too long with the hive open.

They didn't fill up the super as quick as the other hive, but they started off smaller. Besides the colour, I guess not alot.

I'm thinking about re-queeing a swarm that, hopefully, i will get in spring with a KI Ligurian and see how they go- i've heard they're good producers and quiet... albeit if they're anymore quiet than my current Italian X Carniolan hive they will probably be asleep!
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 27, 2010, 11:39:19 am
I'm thinking about re-queeing a swarm that, hopefully, i will get in spring with a KI Ligurian and see how they go- i've heard they're good producers and quiet... albeit if they're anymore quiet than my current Italian X Carniolan hive they will probably be asleep!
I was thinking of doing the same with my caucs. I received them as an ex feral so I have no real certainty how old the queen is. She could be from last Sept as the bees turned very black after a few weeks. I really haven't decided yet.

I went down to Redpaths last week to get some boxes to keep me busy over winter and they only had 2 left. Next shipment comes in in July. I'm using them for my vac collection boxes and have to pick up some more boxes elsewhere. I want to make sure I have plenty of supplies come spring for swarms and to extend my two existing hives upwards.

I'm building some of those hinged frames for putting feral comb in at a cut out. Just interested to see how they compare.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on May 27, 2010, 09:23:56 pm
I was thinking of doing the same with my caucs. I received them as an ex feral so I have no real certainty how old the queen is. She could be from last Sept as the bees turned very black after a few weeks. I really haven't decided yet.

I went down to Redpaths last week to get some boxes to keep me busy over winter and they only had 2 left. Next shipment comes in in July. I'm using them for my vac collection boxes and have to pick up some more boxes elsewhere. I want to make sure I have plenty of supplies come spring for swarms and to extend my two existing hives upwards.

I'm building some of those hinged frames for putting feral comb in at a cut out. Just interested to see how they compare.


The good thing with re-queening is it doesnt take too long for the hive to take on the characteristics of the Queen!

Sounds like most other people have the same idea bout having something to tie them over for the winter! Sunrise apiaries in Geelong are quite good price wise - i've met the guy personally and he's great! I really hope i can jump on the swarm bandwagon come spring!

I reckon those hinged frames are a gret idea! so much less stress! and the good thing is you'd be able to embed the wires in the comb if you wanted and just use them as normal frames and swap them out over time.

Have you been able tos chedule that cut out down in Moorabbin yet?
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 28, 2010, 04:19:10 am
Have you been able tos chedule that cut out down in Moorabbin yet?

No, I'm flat out at work at the moment so I can't take an afternoon off during the week. I have to wait for a good weekend which is going to be darn hard to find now.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: westmar on May 29, 2010, 02:57:07 am
hi every one
                 phil have you found much hive beetle in any ferrail bees.the two i saved up at miles the hives were full of hive beetle i was very supprised as it was very remote location.wonder how much damage this is going to do to to wild bees.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 30, 2010, 10:51:13 am
Hi Westmar, No hive beetle yet. Apparently it's only been found in a couple of places in Vic so far.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: westmar on May 31, 2010, 02:59:46 am
hi
    very lucky down there talking to a bloke took his bees to the coast for the tee tree they are losing hives to the beetle.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on May 31, 2010, 05:06:58 am
hi
    very lucky down there talking to a bloke took his bees to the coast for the tee tree they are losing hives to the beetle.

Yeah, that was one of the places I'd heard they had the beetle.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: philinacoma on August 12, 2010, 06:35:19 pm
Hey Ozbuzz, you busy tomorrow afternoon? Going to look at a feral in a chimney. The house is being demolished in the next couple of weeks and the guy is concerned about safety.
Title: Re: Anybody know of any feral hives in Melbourne? I'm interested in having a crack
Post by: OzBuzz on August 12, 2010, 07:30:26 pm
G'day Mate,

I'll drop you an SMS - should be able to come and lend a hand.

A chimney sounds interesting! should be some nice long combs in there!