I got to remove a hive from a bee tree on 3-28. They screened them in and cut most of the tree the day before. The opening was about 6? diameter from the ground up to just under the cutoff at about 7?. There was no open brood and I had at least 6 swarm queen cells, so the old queen and some number of bees were already gone. However, I got them and split it into 2 deeps. Considering the spotty worker cells, I was guessing they could emerge at any time. There were no stores in the tree and very few capped workers.
So, here are a few pictures.
I checked on them on 4-4 and found a queen in each box. I'm thinking they are already mated, but I have little experience on that end. They weren't laying yet. So, 2 nucs drawing fresh comb.
And, because I have them, here are my other 2 queens. Alpha was removed from under a shed October 2014. I've got 20 frames of bees there. Bravo was a shaken swarm from 2-4-2015 that is doing quite well also.
Now I've got to get more equipment... So much for an inexpensive hobby! :grin:
Good job. The best bee to get are from feral hives. They know how to survive without any chemicals.
Jim
That's so awesome!!!!
What kind of thread did you use to wire in the comb? I did a removal of a large colony and used chicken wire to hold the large combs in the frames. It went ok, being my first cutout, I'm always looking for ways to grow and improve though.
What kind of thread did you use to wire in the comb? I did a removal of a large colony and used chicken wire to hold the large combs in the frames. It went ok, being my first cutout, I'm always looking for ways to grow and improve though.
Rubber Bands. My first cutout I tried wiring into top bars. It was less than a miserable failure.
Sorry for the double post, still learning this board :oops: I measured the wire and used zip ties to tack one end to the top of the frame, then left them "open". once the feral comb was in I just finished bringing the chicken wire around. I had pre-fastened about 4 inches of wire to the corners of the loose end of the chicken wire and when I folded it up to hold the comb in place the 4 inch wire wrapped around the ends of the top. It went ok but I was only able to fit 8 frames into the brood box, the wire made the frames pretty large. I'm hoping that they will make the needed repairs and secure the comb to the inside of the frame, then the wire will come off. I'll try and get some photos to share too.
Rubber bands are usually the weapon of choice. The bees will remove them on their own.
ditto the rubber bands. They are so much easier and faster than any other material.
I staple wood shish kabob skures (sp) to one side of frames add brood cone and secure other side with skures. Easy fast and cheap