Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: TwoHoneys on April 22, 2012, 10:33:32 pm
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I am a numbskull and have agreed to remove bees from a steeply pitched roof. It seems like a very busy hive, and the bees in our area are storing honey like nobody's business, so I'm sure this is gonna be a messy challenge.
The homeowner does not want us to reach the bees from inside the home as the bees seem to be living between the studs (rafters?) of a high and steeply pitched ceiling in their living room, and they're afraid an inside cut out would be a mess mess mess.
I'm afraid that the honey dripping from the roof onto the ceiling will also cause a mess that may destroy the ceiling, and I'm not at all crazy about working on a roof or on ladders. A contractor has been hired to do the deconstruction and the reconstruction, but I'm still not thrilled with the idea of accessing the bees and comb via a hole in the roof.
Does anyone think this situation calls for a cut out? Or am I being neurotic about doing a cut out by going through the roof?!
Thanks for any help you can offer...other than never ever agree to do this again...which I now know.
Liz
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Liz, I've done a good handful I can think of where I went through the roof. Take a pause and remember you will have a contractor there with you. As long as you are safe and secure on the roof you really have no worries about the honey as its the contractor/home owner's problem. Devise a plan with the contractor for your safety & proceed forward.
...JP
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Thanks for the pep talk, JP, and I have to admit that you've calmed my nerves a bit...though I still have a week or so yet to worry about it. Can you direct me to any of your through-the-roof-removal videos so I can get some idea of what the heck this is gonna look like?
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I found a few pictures of one I did a while ago. Will have to upload them to photobucket. I believe I may have one on video, I have to look.
...JP
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I cringe at the quality of this video but it will at least give you a few ideas albeit's not a very steep roof.
...JP
Honey Bees Removed From Roof Of Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpVnZwL-igQ#ws)
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Just how steep is the roof? Is the contractor providing the ladders/lift device? Myself I do not like working on a ladder, but a lift device might be good thought. You also did not mention how high up ....Multistory? Pitch of roof? All those things are a consideration, and yes the contractor should be a big help. You providing protection gear for that person?????
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I would put the burden on the home owner and their contractor. Tell them to open it up and provide you with a scaffold, platform, or lift and you will remove the bees for them. That should not be a problem since the contractor has to open it up and make the repairs.
Good Luck,
Steve
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Make sure the contractor opens a hole larger than you think you need. Once you flip over the sheathing most of the comb should come along with it and you might avoid dripping honey on the sheet rock below.
Scott
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http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32961.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32961.0.html)
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Thanks for all of your suggestions, friends. We experienced a significant death in my family today, so I haven't had time to worry so much about the roof job...I'll get back to worrying about that in a day or two. :) And then I'll re-read and think through your kind suggestions with more focus.
-Liz