Not prepared

[CVBees]

Completed the cutout in the old Civil war house the comb started out straight but immediately started to curve it was fun fitting into frames... sigh

I am writing to see what I should do next.  I went back the next day and there was a 1-2 lb cluster in the old location.  I dont have any real honeybee removal gear but I hardly need it.  I have only done 2 cutouts in 3 years and never seen a swarm in my life.  (been a beek for 3 years)  So I don't have any bee quik or a vac but getting ready to build one cause of this.

The temps this week will not kill em, but I scooped the masses day 2 in hopes that I might of gotten the queen.  There a ton of bees in the box tending 3-4 frames of brood (not full just happen to have some on em) 

Can anyone suggest a low tech way to get them down out of the old space?  There also is a bit of a spot between the first and second floor of the house that goes up the wall before they make their way out the brick hole.

TY all
Jason  Learning every day.

[AllenF]

Next time leave your hive box there until dark to catch the forage bees when they come in.   Also, spray bee quick where the cutout was to run the bees out.  To catch them now with a vac or a hive?   Reach in and grab them with your hand.

[beyondthesidewalks]

If you're not at the point where you can get them with your hand you can also use the flap from a cardboard box as a scoop.  You can also do a little bee herding with your smoker.  Watch Hardwood's videos to see how he does it barehanded if you haven't already.  It'll come if you keep doing it.

[JP]

You really don't need a bee vac to do a proper removal but they sure do make life a lot easier. The key to success with most all removals is transferring and securing brood comb to the new set up and removing all comb from the void space.  You need some bees covering what comb was transferred so they don't get chilled unless it is very warm out. If no bee vac nor bee quick or honey robber use your smoker to herd the bees where you need them to go. Don't push the bees too much but be aggressive when herding them. Pay attention to their movement. If they are going, let them, if hung up edge them until they move again. Uncertain, step back & give them time to determine their motives.

If they aren't stingy you can use your hands or cardboard whatever works.

On one like this with a lack of tools I would leave the set up on site & do periodic inventory checks. I've left set ups before when I hadn't caught the queen during the removal to have her and the rest of the bees wind up in the set up, albeit it may take a day or two achieve results.

There is always the dreaded chance that they will not be interested in the set up but in my experience this is not the norm.

Best of luck man & keep us updated!


...JP

[kathyp]

i have a dustpan in my cutout stuff.  it's helpful.  the bee quick is really invaluable because even when you get the queen, sometimes bees will insist of returning to the space.  if you can leave the hive, they usually get the idea, but i did one a couple of years ago and had a returning clump for several days.....and the queen was in the box. 

[CVBees]

Thanks for all the replies.. I did the hand scooping bit.  Best I could went back at dusk and all was well.  Only a few stragglers picking at the old site.  I moved em to the yard today.    

My first and only hive of the year.  One more rescue on this property from an OLD unattended hive.  Basically a cut out the frames are so propolised they wont budge without breaking.  I am pretty sure they are the ones who cast off I just cut out of the old house.  Thank the good lord for small miracles.