I just got back from looking at a possible cut out. it looks easy enough but I would love a more experienced opinion.
The colony is under an 8x 12 utility shed. It has a foundation of 4x4 landscape timbers I can see the bees have 2 entrances in more or less the same spot on the top and bottom of a 4x4.
The owner says that he had a opossum issue that his dobies took care of but not until after they dug out under the shed. It looks like the bees took advantage of the space to build there nest.
there is very little space between the ground and 4x4 where there entrance is.
So it looks like my options are to
Dig out around the entrance to get to the comb if it does not go back to deep or,
Cut out the plywood floor of the pack utility shed.
I'm thinking to try the shovel method first it there only where the opossum was hope fully it doesn't go back to far. and plan b would be to cut out the floor if it goes back to far. but any thoughts or information from some one that has done a similar cut out would be appreciated
Thank you
QuoteCut out the plywood floor of the pack utility shed.
this would be my choice. the more room you can make to work, the easier and more successful the cutout. having been face down into a hive before, i can tell you, it is to be avoided if possible!
there are pics on here of floor removals. i think some were from JP. see if you can find those and hopefully someone who has done floors can give you some pointers.
ok thanks that was my thinking to, dig down see exactly where they were and if i couldn't grab them from there go in the floor.
Being in Orlando, Fla., the first thing I would do is suit up well and disturb them someway. European bees don't normally use the ground for a hive bottom. I would thoroughly convince myself they were European bees before starting the removal.
Next, I would get a jack or two and lift one end or side of the building, blocking as I went, until it was approx. 2 foot up on the side or end where the bees are. Then I would do the removal on my back.
irerob, I'm not too far from you and can help if you need (I'm just outside of Deltona) What part of O-town is it in?
Quote from: iddee on September 08, 2009, 10:19:04 PM
Being in Orlando, Fla., the first thing I would do is suit up well and disturb them someway. European bees don't normally use the ground for a hive bottom. I would thoroughly convince myself they were European bees before starting the removal.
Next, I would get a jack or two and lift one end or side of the building, blocking as I went, until it was approx. 2 foot up on the side or end where the bees are. Then I would do the removal on my back.
The old man has given some pretty good advice here.
...JP ;)
I'm pretty sure there not AHB I was on my hands and knees tyring to look into the entrance and knocking weeds over to get to it and they hardly took note. The property owners say they weed eat and mow around it all the time with out issue so I think I'm safe there.
I never thought about jacking up the shed, I'll have to mull it over.
Thanks for the offer Hardwood ill try to I'm you for the details.
? do you find it easier to slide under like that, or does it just make the repairs easier? i would think doing it on your back (stop it) would make the removal more difficult? have not done a floor yet, so this is info gathering.......
I have removed a few hives laying on my back with the hive right above me. I don't mind as long as I am fully protected. Going in from the floor has worked fine for me for many a removal. I use a cat's claw and remove the nails on the floor joists on the section I cut. A skill saw and a sawzall work great for this.
...JP
I'm lazy. I like working laying down. ;)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/removals/temp005.jpg)
Quote from: iddee on September 09, 2009, 08:22:11 AM
I'm lazy. I like working laying down. ;)
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/removals/temp005.jpg)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D9ilKH1XnYTpjutVWjFoow?feat=directlink
...JP ;)
I'd like to thank all of you for the great ideas. I got a closer look today and I'm sure that going thru the floor is the best way to get them. I'm waiting to see if the home owner wants to go thru with it.
I did take some cool pics they have Set up just 4 inch comb in one section between the floor joists.
http://img193.imageshack.us/i/hpim1593.jpg/
http://img6.imageshack.us/i/hpim1597q.jpg/
http://img3.imageshack.us/i/hpim1599o.jpg/
http://img43.imageshack.us/i/hpim1601b.jpg/
Here's one I did this August Rob: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/August72009#
Here's another: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/APRIL102008#
One more: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/March122008#
Hope the pics help some.
Don't forget the most important thing to have on a cut out is a bucket of water to wipe your tools.
...JP
i'd rather go home sticky than forget a tool!! :-D
take the stuff that's on the cutout list. you may have more than you need, but that's better than not having enough!
irerob...how'd your cut-out go? any news?
Scott
unfortunately the home owners decided they didn't want to empty the shed so I could get to the floor. The good news is there going to leave them there instead of exterminating them.
It would be a great place to set up a swarm trap. I'd place one or two within a couple hundred yards of the colony.
...JP
I never thought of that. i'll need to read up on it and trap outs to see whats involved.
Trap outs are like the Ronco miracle oven thingy...set it and forget it almost.
Scott
Irerob, well, how did it turn out? I would be very curious if you decided to do a trap out or just leave the bees, so great that they decided not to exterminate them. Tell us the story. Have that wonderful and most beautiful day, great health. Cindi
The home owners decided that they wanted to leave the bees alone for the time being. I was disappointed at first but it did turn out to be a great learning experience as far as set up and talking to property owners about the bees, so at least I didn't go away empty handed.