Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Bees In Miami on January 08, 2013, 08:21:13 pm
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I got a call for a unique removal...Honeybees have established a colony inside a Bronze Mermaid statue. There are two entrances, and judging by the massive amounts of pollen going in, these girls have been here for a while with a very busy queen... (please forgive the anatomy pics!)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/HomesteadMermaid099.jpg)
There is an entrance tucked in behind her hair here.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/HomesteadMermaid100.jpg)
This was after some smoke to check their temperament, so they are spread out a bit more. Please look to the lower left also, the Coy has a missing eyeball, and they are using that as a second entrance.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/HomesteadMermaid103.jpg)
Short of tipping this monster of bronze over, anybody have any ideas for removal?
Thanks for any input!
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I'd do a trap out.
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I love it ! Will they part with the statue ?
Cheers,
Drew
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Trap out is the way to go. But be sure to seal up well after you finish.
Bailey
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Thank you all, though honestly, with all the crooks and crevices, and double entrance, I don't know how a trap out is reasonable. There is easily six inches of difference, if not more, from the inner crevices to the outer arms and such, and they all inter-twine. The best idea I could come up with (based on the home owner telling me they moved in around Christmas), was to try to smoke them out. Having seen the colony today, I truly believe they are bearding, and based on the amount of pollen going in, I believe they are well established inside the statue. I have another day before I commit, but I am leaning toward the removal from the bottom and laying the entire statue over. I appreciate the trap out ideas, but seriously, I don't see it possible to seal ALLLLL the areas! Any more ideas are appreciated, but I see a trap out as rather impossible. Thanks to all!
I can honestly say, I am truly curious to see what kind of comb the bees built inside such a structure!!! :laugh:
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Oh you're going to have a great time framing those combs ;) if you can get @ them. Perhaps lay statue on side and do a coax out with frame of eggs ?
Wonder what it would bring on E-Bay ? Is that all bronze ? I'd go $500 @ least.
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By the looks of that thing, you may not have access to the comb. If that's the case, I would just beevac what I could and close off any openings forever. Smoke would help drive them out. You wouldn't get them all.
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Personally, I think a trap out would be the only reasonable method. It is hard to tell by the pictures, but if there are only two entrances, close one off and cone the other. If there are other gaps, aluminum foil for small and #8 for larger openings.
I think you're in for a major headache try to go in for the bottom. How do you get access to all the comb and bees from a small opening in the bottom?
If your really against a trap out and only plan on getting the bees out, you can try slowly immersing it in water to drive the bees out. Not a trivial task and not what I would do, but you asked about "other" options. :?
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...I'd try putting a box with some eggs (and perhaps a queen) nearby, and then start filling the holes with sand...a little at a time. If the owners don't want sand in the statue, you could use water (and seal up any leaks with wax or putty as they show themselves), or sugar (which could be washed/robbed out later), or flour...anything to fill the cavity from the bottom up. The idea is to make the cavity small enough to drive the bees out.
deknow
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Water seems like a good idea
mvh edward :-P
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I would bet that there is a drain hole in the bottom of that statue against the ground. Being brass, a torch, fire, or heater might melt out all the comb, over heat the bees and run them out. Might be a whole lot quicker than a trap out.
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I'll go $600 ! :)
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If there are only two holes the bees can use, you could also just plug one up, pipe the other into a net or closed off box, and give em some bee go, bee quick, or even a bit of formic acid, gasoline....anything to make them decide it is a good idea to get out.
deknow