Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: Boom Buzz on November 25, 2011, 10:59:21 pm
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We've had a couple of good snows here already, and we've also had some nice warm days that have gotten the bees out looking for sugar syrup. The first snow in late October was wet and heavy which broke a lot of tree limbs around here. I mean A LOT of limbs. So i got a call from a tree removal guy that came across a bee tree at one home. The property owner says the trees have to go. The tree with the bees is an old maple that is rotted through and through. So the tree guy gave me a call to see what could be done with the bees. I was skeptical and suggested waiting until spring would give the bees the best chance for survival, but the home owner wants the tree down now.
Anyhow, tree guy said the limb with the colony was intact and they could probably lower it right into the pickup bed. The colony was exposed at the top where the limb had broken off but the rest of it is in good shape. So I am giving it a shot. Picked up the bee tree on Tuesday and the colony seems to be doing well.
The tree cutter wore my veil for a little protection...
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6299/2011droidpicsa444.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/2011droidpicsa444.jpg/)
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We put some mesh netting around the top of the tree to keep the bees from flying...
(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8901/2011droidpicsa445.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/2011droidpicsa445.jpg/)
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The bee tree in the bee yard. I put some foam insulation in one of the cuts to close down the entrance. The bees have a defendable entrance now. I need to put a proper top on to keep in the heat from escaping and to keep the precipitation out.
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/7707/imag03791f.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/imag03791f.jpg/)
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I will figure out what to do with these guys in the spring. I am tempted to just leave them alone, let them build up and maybe try to catch a swarm or two from them... I figure the bees were probably done for if they were just left alone due to the opened top from the tree split. Or if the tree guys disposed of the limb. At least this way they get a chance to survive...
Cheers to All!
John
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I bet they'll be just fine until spring. At least you didn't have to do a cut out :)
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I was called out once by the city of Amarillo. They were cleaning up a vacant lot and someone had dumped a big tree stump in the lot and it had a blanket over it. when the guys started to move it they found that it was full of bees and that is when I was called. I went out early one morning when it was still cool, wrapped a tarp over it and two of us picked it up and I took it out into the country where I work and "planted it". The bees did great. I bet yours will also, and you are correct, a good potential source of swarms. Good luck.
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Great job. Wish you luck!!
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I am envious!!!!!!