Removal Question

[Boom Buzz]

I continue to get calls at least a few times a week to remove bees.  In many of the cases the bees just moved in recently.  So  I assume they are still swarming and setting up home.  I received a call today from a woman that now has two colonies in her house soffit about 20 feet apart. 

How late in the season is it reasonable to remove bees? 

I tempted to go ahead with this one but make it my last removal for the season.  Realistically the bees will be flying and I can feed through the end of October, however, in October there will be some days they are not flying as the weather turns cold.  Also we should have a fairly good alfalfa flow into mid September.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

John

[Judy in in]

More like the homeowner is just now noticing. I've cut off my cut-outs for this year.

It depends on how much you're willing to do to keep them going. I'm feeding the honey back to mine, will wrap the hives, and am considering the terrarium heaters like Finski uses, just because I've got some really nice late cut-outs I want to survive. My farm is in a very windy area, so I'll be blocking the wind also.

You could always combine them with other colonies.

[JP]

If you do not believe they have ample time to rebuild and support themselves even with you feeding them, then its best to wait but...

If the homeowner cannot wait you can remove them now and give them a fighting chance.

You could if you need to: combine them or nuc them.

If they cannot wait, they will find someone else, if that is ok with you.


...JP

[Michael Bush]

August might still make it.  In your climate September almost certainly won't.

[D Semple]

I've quit removals for the season here in Kansas City, but like you am still getting several calls a week.

I've found most folks, will wait till spring if you just educate them a little about the benifits of honeybees and you explain to them that the bees will have a hard time making it through the winter if you remove them this late in the season. Much better chance of survival if they postpone their removal till spring.

Make your emphasis all about survival of the colony.

Don