Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: JP on November 13, 2010, 01:14:38 pm

Title: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 13, 2010, 01:14:38 pm
When I got there it was quite a mess, termite damage, comb everywhere and a good bit of honey on the ground.

What you are hearing when I pull the wall section out is Formosan termite carton nests and mud hitting the ground.

The other side of the hollow block wall (btw) was a cab company whose yard looked like a junkyard, stuff everywhere. Could not get anywhere near  the block wall but I did not see any activity over there either.

This is about as messy as it gets.


...JP

Honey Bees In A Makeshift Shed Get Saved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5tQhkQMi_o#ws)
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: G3farms on November 13, 2010, 07:57:53 pm
what a giant mess that was! Good save for sure, thanks for the video.

I guess you are just going to combine them with another hive?
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 13, 2010, 08:14:56 pm
Today I am feeding them big time. Didn't see a queen on the frames but its possible she could be in there. Tomorrow I'll check again. They will be combined soon with another colony.


...JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: Sparky on November 13, 2010, 08:20:09 pm
JP the bee whisper man. How did you lure them to the NUC to begin with. Was it filled with some old comb or some of their own ?
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 13, 2010, 08:45:27 pm
JP the bee whisper man. How did you lure them to the NUC to begin with. Was it filled with some old comb or some of their own ?

Couple of drawn frames and lemon grass oil.


...JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: David McLeod on November 13, 2010, 08:52:52 pm
Sometimes you have to wonder just what in the blue eyed world the scouts were thinking when they picked that spot to set up in.
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: hardwood on November 13, 2010, 08:54:08 pm
That one looked like a real pain to deal with!

Scott
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 13, 2010, 09:23:57 pm
David, the spots they pick never cease to amaze me, particularly so when your area is chocked full of bees. They have to go somewhere.

Scott it was more messy than anything, having to dodge spilled honey, comb and everything else up in there.

Once the bees showed me what they wanted to do it made my job a lot easier and enjoyable.

BTW, I think I failed to mention this was yet another referral from a 911 dispatch officer.


...JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: annette on November 13, 2010, 11:40:33 pm
I have to purchase some bee quick - keep thinking about it that I need to get some.

That was a terrific mess JP and as usual, you knew what to do.
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: Bee Happy on November 14, 2010, 12:58:19 am
Must have been some interesting smells with the termites and the bees in there.
That looks like a 'rescue the bees before the roof collapses/demolition.' kind of job.
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: TwoHoneys on November 14, 2010, 07:25:31 am
I like how you share your decision making, JP. Sometimes I think that you just automatically know how to handle these confusing situations, so it's helpful on many levels for me to watch you begin to create order from chaos.

I have a brand new bottle of Bee Quick and a few unused nucs just itching for some action. They're not exactly itching for cinder-block, termite-riddled, honey-all-over-the-ground, fallen-comb action, but if that's what comes along, you've helped me get ready to tackle it.  

Liz
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 14, 2010, 12:59:12 pm
Liz, I'm thankful for your feedback. It reassures me that some of what I'm trying to convey (in my mind) is transferring to video. Part of what makes removing bees worth while is obviously the challenge aspect. If they were all simple and easy, well, let's just say it might not be quite as fun and rewarding.

Of course the main object is to save the genetics of the colony if at all possible, albeit at least until they are able to show their true colors.

Thanks again everyone, for your feedback.

Here's looking to spring and of course with that comes Bud3!

Cheers!


...JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: Cindi on November 15, 2010, 12:51:39 pm
JP, yo the man.  You are providing such a wonderful learning tool for for many beekeepers with your videos.  It would take me a very long time to look at all what you have done in your videos, but what I have seen, it makes me proud of you.  Thank you for taking us into the wonderful part of your life, it is good.  Still wonder how you don't get aways with swarms settling and making a home in your big, long, black beard  :-P and smiling, keep up that wonderful work of being that awesome video bee removal mentoring stuff.  Have that great and most awesome day, with all good things, like love, health and peace, Cindi
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 15, 2010, 07:13:33 pm
Thanks Rock lady, you are the best!


...JP  ;)
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: jhs494 on November 15, 2010, 10:48:45 pm
Nice try at a save. It looks as if you were just in time JP.  Anything has to be better than leaving them there.

Another good video JP.  It will be a long winter with out these videos.

Thanks for sharing them with us.

Joe.
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 15, 2010, 11:49:02 pm
Thanks for the feedback Joe.

Was thinking of putting a bloopers video together, anyone like to see that?  :-D


..JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: annette on November 15, 2010, 11:58:39 pm
Yes, Yes, hope you didn't step on the red umbrella in one of the bloopers :shock:
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: TwoHoneys on November 16, 2010, 05:23:49 pm
Just the ticket for an uplifting winter. Yes.
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 16, 2010, 08:33:02 pm
OK, will do!


...JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: Irwin on November 17, 2010, 10:55:28 am
OK, will do!


...JP
This will be Good  :-D
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: L Daxon on November 17, 2010, 11:24:51 am
JP,

How did that honey get all over the ground?  Did some human or animal tear into part of the hive.  And why weren't the bees just swarming all over that exposed honey?  If I set exposed honey or sugar water out in my yard, in no time it is covered sometimes 2 and 3 deep in bees.  Can't believe how they crowd in there.

I so enjoy watching your videos.  Add me to the JP fan club (I think it is getting quite large :yippiechick:.)  Like everyone else I have learned so much watching you work.  I too can't wait for spring and the girls to start swarming again here in Oklahoma.
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: AllenF on November 17, 2010, 09:10:45 pm
The JP fan club?  Do we get a free kids meal coupon on our birthday?  Where do we sign up?
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: JP on November 18, 2010, 01:32:05 am
Linda, the people were tearing down the wall to make repairs and according to them, they didn't know the bees were there. Once the demolition began 99.9% of the comb sections hit the ground, thus honey oozing everywhere.


...JP
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: Cindi on November 18, 2010, 11:31:24 am
Ah, bloopers, now that would be a sight for sore eyes.  JP Blooper King, smiling that big smile.  We all make bloopers.  I am the queen of doing bloopers, it is like the thing where I don't think I will ever graduate from that school of hard knocks.  OK, JP, you have that whole lot of work ahead of you, bloopers, to make your forum friends have a great hoot and a hollar -- lookin' forward to The Bloopers of JP, the Swarm King -- bring 'em on!!!  Have that great and most wonderful day, that day of love, peace and health, Cindi
Title: Re: Honey Bees In Makeshift Shed Get Saved-November 12, 2010
Post by: jhs494 on November 23, 2010, 12:03:19 am
I can't wait to see the blooper tape.  This will surely be one entertaining video.

Thanks
Joe