How long should it take them to find their way out? I was given a little two frame OB hive by a new neighbor that used to keep bees 20 years ago, and I have it all set up in the bedroom (of course). But it has been there now about 12 hours and they don't seem to have found the way out. Its only about a 2ft piece of pipe to the window..... So I wonder if I should bait the outside end of the pipe with some honey or something?
Thanks all.
F
I will add some pics later
what size pipe is it?
Its about 7/8" outside diameter. It is a thin walled piece of water line that I had laying around. It is white poly. Do they have an aversion to poly or PVC??
Poly or PVC is fine. I'd give them 24 hours before I start worrying. Was this a colony you moved into it, or did you just take some frames out of another hive? If you just took 2 frames of brood out of another hive, you mainly got nurse bees who don't have a need to go outside, so that might be part of the delay as well.
Thanks Robo,
Looks like they are starting to venture out now. This was just 2 frames of mine from a good hive that I have up on the hill. My kids love it. I have been amazed at the different things going on already. Has anyone else noticed a kind of repelling thing going on. Its only 2 frames high but I have watched a ton of the girls climb to the top and then just drop to the bottom. Its like they are repelling to the bottom to save time and energy.
But they are starting to venture out a little now. Lets see how the neighbors respond to this.
As I said, I will post some pics later today...
F
Also, try a string down the pipe. They sometimes will crawl along it to find their way out. The pipe may be slippery.