Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: ArmucheeBee on January 07, 2011, 09:44:46 pm
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Anyone had experience with cold temp cutouts, say temps in upper 40s to 50s? I'd like to get these bees while they are in low numbers due to their difficult overhead location. I also want to make sure I get this feral queen (actually two hives in one portico). Just wondering how the bees will react to the cold temp exposure. I don't plan on putting the comb in frames-rubber banding. I was just going to put the combs in nucs and worry about moving the bees up into frames as spring comes on. I also like the thought of cold honey--less mess. What do you think?
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I would not try it if the hive can wait until spring.
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I've put off all my cut outs until spring for now...it's not so much that I don't have warm days to do it, it that there is no flow right now and the stress is enough on the bees during good times. The colony tends to shrink a good bit after a cut out too and without much forage to goad the queen into building back up they may collapse.
Best case scenario is you'll have to give them a feed that they'll take at this time of year and watch em closely.
Worst case is you'll loose them.
Just laying the comb in a nuc is not the best idea if there is any brood at all unless you can keep them in the same orientation and provide adequate bee space between the comb.
Leave them until spring if at all possible.
Scott
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The only hanging swarm I have ever had attack in mass was at 46 degrees. Over 150 stings in less than 10 seconds.
I will never bother cold bees again.
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I would tell you to go ahead if you absolutely, absolutely 100% have to but the chance of losing them is extremely high. If you can wait that is the best option.
As mentioned, they are not too happy being removed this time of year.
...JP
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Take some pictures tell some more of were they are? what are they in ?
Why do they need to go (now?)
Can you vac and combine
are they a large colony
you said 2 hives over head ?
Over head laying on back under Mobile home ?
Maybe with more info someone can come up with help
I also want to make sure I get this feral queen
don't plan on putting the comb in frames-rubber banding. I was just going to put the combs in nucs and worry about moving the bees up into frames as spring
How would the bees work that Comb :?
Pull them FedEx next day air to OZBUZZ :-D
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Thanks for the replies. I believe they can wait. I just wanted to get some opinions. I've done my fair share of cutouts and trapouts but always in warm weather. BTW--The comb would remain verticle in my nucs--I have my ways. I was hoping to get the bees out before they started building up and their was a lot of brood. But I did not like the sound of 150 stings!!!! :mrgreen:
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Yeah, I would wait. By Spring there won't be much honey anyway.
JC