Hi Fellow Bee men & gals:Well I have been trying to keep some bees for going on the third year now and have learned a costly lesson yesterday!
I had done a cut out about 30 days ago and the bees were Italians and were nice and gentle.I put the in a 10 frame box along with the comb I got from the cut out and left them for about 3 weeks to give them time to mend the comb to the frames and get going.I opened them up and didn't see any brood or eggs and I thought they were Queenless.So I ordered a new Queen and when she came I contacted the county agent and he came over and assisted me in the addition of more bees and fresh brood to the hive and when we opened the hive we discovered it was full of Small Hive beetles!UGH
Since That had happened we reduced the size down to a 5 frame nuc box and threw out all of the comb in the box and added 2 frames of brood and eggs with bees .All clean stuff!
We also discovered a Queen which had not been laying!Agent said reason was no room in the old comb as well as the hive beetles had taken over since population was low of bees.I had already bought a new Queen and installed her so I ended up with a extra Queen which might not be any good ?
MAIN LESSON I LEARNED IS NOT TO USE THE OLD COMB FROM CUT OUTS!I will treat the cut out as a swarm in the future and install them in a box with new foundation and feed them till they get going at the rate they should.Cost me 50.00 for that lesson!!
What we actually did was like a split and I will feed them. I will go in in a bout 4 days to see if they have released the new Queen.
I think you learned the wrong lesson. I will always keep the brood comb from a cutout, just not pollen, honey, or empty comb. Then I set the hive in FULL SUN. Your biggest mistake is waiting for 3 weeks to check them. Checking every 3 DAYS would have given you a much better chance of success. Also, try to install them in a box that they can cover 75 % or more with bees. They need to be able to keep the invaders at bay the first couple weeks
I think the lesson you SHOULD learn is not to try to keep ALL of the comb from a cutout. Most of the brood is a good plan. Without it they will likely abscond and with it they will have a big head start. I never try to keep any of the honey (too messy among other reasons) and seldom any of the pollen unless the comb is very solid and black and not messy. As iddee says, they should be able to cover the comb they have. If not, then they have too much.
I do the same. Just use the brood, no honey or pollen. Enjoy the honey and wash out the pollen with a hose.
Thanks guys.yes I had put the honey in with them best I could.It was a very difficult cut out.Right over head in a flat roof 4 foot over hang.Honey all over the place on me included as I was working alone.which I won't try that again especially in that type situation.
Blacksheep
I made the same mistake on my first cutout :oops: What a mess I had in less than 10 days :angry:
Yes I need some help as I was trying to manage the comb as well as the vacuuming.I will not do that again for sure.I hope I will get another oportunity to try again.I have handled several swarms and always put them in a box with frames and foundation and locked them in for a few days while feeding them.I have always had good luck none ever left!Guess the liked the new place.I am in the process of making some new 10 frame boxes with all the parts,screen bottom boards,intercovers and tops.I just finished 12 new supers and they are ready for some honey I just need more bees and a nice long spring with some nectar coming in!
We are in period where nothing is blooming so I don't expect to have a great fall run.
Remember a major difference between cutouts and swarms. Swarms left home with luggage, expecting to build a new home. A cutout was taken unexpectedly. They are not as well prepared to build. So it is good to give them their brood comb. Very little honey, as has been said.
The first several days after a cutout, the bees are usually very out of place. They aren't as active in fighting Small Hive beetles. The more honey in the box, the more likely you will have issues.
Definitely check them every few days.
Another lesson I have learned the hard way...If you can find the queen, put her in a queen clip like JP Beeman does on youtube. Keep her in the clip, in the hive for a couple of days to better anchor the colony to the box.
Thanks guys for the information I will try to remember that stuff if I get another cutout!
Quote from: iddee on August 14, 2015, 10:58:25 AM
I think you learned the wrong lesson. I will always keep the brood comb from a cutout, just not pollen, honey, or empty comb. Then I set the hive in FULL SUN. Your biggest mistake is waiting for 3 weeks to check them. Checking every 3 DAYS would have given you a much better chance of success. Also, try to install them in a box that they can cover 75 % or more with bees. They need to be able to keep the invaders at bay the first couple weeks
Michael and others also gave good advice. Becoming comfortable with the bees in a frenzy around you is also important. Managing the comb, and vacuming etc is not an issue if you understand it takes time, and then proceed to TAKE your time to do it. I agree, that having a helping hand is a HUGE bonus when doing a removal, but I have done many with no one assisting. As stated, I just make sure I have plenty of time, and then take my time. You'll get there, just takes practice. Good learning experience so nothing was truly wasted!
Absolutely agree with allowing lots of time. If not actually working the job, then talking with the owners or waiting for them to settle or making another trip after dark or .....