I have a wild hive living in the wall of my wood shed, and has been there for a number of years. I have seen 2 swarms captured. An old bee keeper came and got the first swarm. I caught the second and put them in an old bee hive box. IT did not survive, or they left, I'm not sure. The hive is still going in the wall and I am hoping to catch the swarm this year and have a new home ready for them as well as a couple of swarm cathers. Here's the question. The entrance to the hive in the wall is a knot hole. Can I attach a bee box with a tube connecting the knot hole with the box. Thus forcing the bees to travel through the new box to go foraging. Would they colonize the new box? Would it it mess them up having the entrance to the hive changed? Can I make a honey box from the hive in the wall? I have no idea what I'm doing just trying to learn as i go. Most importantly I don't want the colony to leave or die. They have been there for years and the swarm it puts out is huge, maybe 5 or 6 lbs. The last one was the size of a basketball. Is it worth a try? could it work? and again most important, will it harm them?
I've ordered a swarm and built the bee boxes, and am hoping to catch the swarm this year, giving me too nice hives. Its all new to me. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I'm in Oregon by the way
Perfect opportunity to learn how to do a cut out.
OR perfect time for a trap out!!
They would simply travel back down the tube to the existing hive. You would need to either do a trap-out or a cut-out. Of you could try catching another swarm.