First Cutout Complete

[Moonshae]

The cutout went great! Took about 2.5 hours, 10 stings or fewer, most through clothing when I got them caught in a crease (knee, etc). One thing I did learn is that I need to wear a full suit or find a pair of pants that stay up...I got a couple stings in my back when the pullover I had on crept up, exposing my tender flesh.

I found about 20 capped queen cells. The homeowner said the swarmed not too long ago. Considering how crammed in they were here, I can't imagine what it was like for them before the swarm!

I have to say, this was pretty easy and a lot of fun. The sawzall was a good tip. If I hadn't bought that, I'd have been screwed. There was no obvious way to pop rivets and remove the wall, especially with 3/8" plywood behind the sheet metal.

Thanks for all the tips; I wouldn't have even attempted it without all of your input and advice.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Moonshae.Beek/Cutout5308

[JP]

Way to go man! Did you happen to see the queen? As for as rivets go, they can be drilled out. Good job, did you have fun?


...JP

[poka-bee]

Great Pics!  I like the way they are packed so neatly in the truck!  Bet you can't wait for the next one!  It amazes me the places they choose to live!  Jody

[KONASDAD]

awesome job. Were they up in ceiling? or just wall? Congrats!

[Moonshae]

I didn't see a queen, but since the hive had swarmed recently, I wasn't surprised to see a ton of queen cells.

I did pop the rivets, but they weren't holding the wood in place...they just held the metal to the plywood.

They were all just in the wall, which made it easy.

[Understudy]

Those queen cells will save that hive. Excellent job.

 :'( It's almost touching to see all these new people doing cut outs.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[KONASDAD]

:'( It's almost touching to see all these new people doing cut outs.

I am definately "touched!".

[HAB]

Glad you took the sawzall I mentioned.  Was afraid you would find a bigger cooler than that.  I've been in some that were as big as a tractor trailer and drilling out those rivets would have taken all day. :)

[Moonshae]

Those queen cells will save that hive. Excellent job.

Upon reflection, and considering how calm they were, I almost wish I had split them up into several nucs to keep more of their genetics around. But If I decide to try raising my own queens, depending on how they come back after mating, I will likely use these bees to give it a shot.

[Moonshae]

Glad you took the sawzall I mentioned. 

Even with the rivets removed, I couldn't have done it without the sawzall.  I tried popping a few with a wedge, and they gave, but they only held the metal sheet in...they didn't help me with the 3/8" plywood behind it. Fortunately, the hive entrance was big enough to stick the blade in...I forgot to bring a drill. Won't make the mistake again.

[Moonshae]

These are some super docile bees...I opened the hive today without smoke, and they didn't even pay attention. I probably could have started lifting out frames without worry, but I don't want to disturb them too much yet.

[Scott Derrick]

Great Job!...and thanks for the pics.

[Moonshae]

Inspected the hive for the first time today, figured I should see a queen. I found her, and she's big and fat, but I didn't see any eggs or larvae yet. I'll check back next weekend and take a look; I would think by then she'll be laying. They still are some really calm bees...none of my other hives are as calm as these.

Sorry I didn't get a perfect shot; for a queen, she wasn't very vain.

[JP]

Inspected the hive for the first time today, figured I should see a queen. I found her, and she's big and fat, but I didn't see any eggs or larvae yet. I'll check back next weekend and take a look; I would think by then she'll be laying. They still are some really calm bees...none of my other hives are as calm as these.

Sorry I didn't get a perfect shot; for a queen, she wasn't very vain.

I don't see any honey, do you have a flow on? If not you need to feed them, then again, I don't know what the rest of the colony looks like.


...JP

[Moonshae]

There's nothing capped, but there is a good amount of nectar throughout some of the other frames. I could throw on a feeder tomorrow, though, to be on the safe side.