A small group of bees are trying to take up residency in a walnut tree in the park across from our home. The "hole" to the hive is about 3 inches in diameter and most of the bees are on the outside of this entrance. I don't think it goes very deep--nor do I think the bees have been there for more than a couple of weeks.
I am going to try to get these bees.....and am wondering if putting up a swarm trap close to the entrance (within 1 ft) might "entice" them to move into better housing? I would use a swarm trap baited with drawn comb and some lemongrass oil. Any chance of them moving on their own?
Or should I just prepare a wire cone and do a traditional trap out.....?
Or should I try to scoop them out and move them by hand to a nuc?
I don't have a bee vac..... nor many other tools for doing trap outs. But I think I can make a plate to fit over the hole with a wire cone to the swarm trap.
So.....just a general question of what my fellow beeks think might be the best approach. As you can tell, I am a newby at this type of thing.
No, they prefer the tree to a box. They will not move.
The cone should not exit into the trap box.
You are only seeing the foragers. The main colony is hidden in the tree.
Read all these posts and watch the video and you can safely and successfully catch a colony of bees.
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,20301.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,20301.0.html)
THANKS!
I did a search yesterday, but didn't find your information. Great reading and tons of information. So now I will plan my strategy and see if I can make a new home for these bees.
Gailmo
That is a great video iddee.
Joe