So the bee removal I did went well, except that the bees didn't like the hive. :'( BUT, I think they're still here - sort of.
It's been two weeks since the removal and they all but left the next day.
Today I went out and sat at my usual spot off to the side of the flight path and I usually sit and record or take still shots of the bees. I see some bigger bees coming in and out of the hives. They aren't coming in with pollen as my honey bees are. They are just there, in and out. They're like twice the size of my bees.
Could they be robbers? Would my bees just let them come in and take what they want?
I took video and still pics. Would like to know where and how to post those so I can get an opinion on what's happening. I really hope that's not the case.
I don't know what to do. Help please. Elaine.
Sounds like you have a healthy population of drones.
Scott
I'm thinking drones also but pics would resolve any mysteries.
...JP
Send your pics or links to pics to
[email protected]and mention the post you would like to attach them. A moderator will post for you. :)
I do a lot of removes and have had new colonies abscond.
I've started ( and it's the only time I use a queen excluder) to put
a cut out square cut from a queen excluder inside over the entrance hole.
Haven't lost a remove colony since, if the queen stays, everybody
will stay. Usually after a week, I pry it off as they have oriented the
hive as home. Like everyone else, I say drones, though there could
be several reasons for that
Emil
I have one colony that is interesting like that, half are italians.. then there are alot of small black bees in with them. they come and go and bring in pollen. this is a double deep hive full of bees.