We had temperatures in the 60?s this past weekend and my bees were all flying and bringing in pollen. There are two feral colonies within a few miles of my home so I took a drive to see if they were flying Sunday.
The first is in a large catalpa tree just off of the county road. It?s close enough I can see activity without crossing the fence but I usually use binoculars to check it out. It?s interesting that the bark around the entrance is whiter this year than in past years. I noticed it a couple of years ago. The landowner wasn?t aware of this colony so I?m not sure how long it?s been active.
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The second colony is in the base of a tree at an old farmstead. The landowner says this one has been active for several years. He still keeps the grass mowed here and sprays around the base of his trees so he doesn?t have to trim up close. The area sprayed around this tree is extra large.
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Here is another pic of the colony in the base of the tree.
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I?d like to find more feral colonies to monitor. Does anyone else have pictures of feral colonies in your area?
Wow Kwalt, You know how to find them! Are these locations that you have captured swarms before? If so how far away do you place your traps from these trees. You may have already said so on another topic? Thanks for posting.
Phillip
Great pic with the solo bee entering the tree.
Great hunting.
I doubt they are 'generational' but definitely consider swarm traps.
Be curious to see if you did a free test at beltsville for the usual culprits.
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Mr. KWalt, you are kinda new. Just wanted to say I appreciate your post as you definitely have good experiences with the honeybees thus a wealth of good info.
Great picks of the feral hives, I alway appreciate seeing feral hives, noting the size of the opening and how far off the ground. My area has so few feral hives as the small hive beetles are horrific here. In my area, small hive beetle are just as bad if not worse than Varroa.
My nucs are especially targeted.
Health to your bees.
Great photos!
Kwalt. No I have not seen any feral colonies, but I have started looking of late.
Great pictures, especially that closeup of the bee entering the tree. I'd love to find a bee tree, but I never have.
I had time today to check another feral colony. This one didn?t survive the winter. According to the home owner, this colony had been active for at least the three years they have owned the property.
Their hive is quite interesting. It?s in an old furnace. I tried to take a look in the entrance last year with no gear. I think I only took two stings. Now that it?s empty you can see how they had the entrance reduced with propolis. The cedars don?t look as thick as they did last year so maybe the weather got them.
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Furnace hive(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200304/2011e2781604a84cefbf44e78a029cf7.jpg)
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Furnace hive entrance
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I have caught swarms near all three of these colonies. I wasn?t there to see the actual swarm so I have no idea of their origin. It?s interesting to note that the swarm caught near the furnace went queenless late in the year and failed to raise a replacement.
Kevin
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A friend said he had seen some bee's around a 'Telstra Pit' (local phone lines run underground - inspection pit)
So i said i would come grab them in case the inspector found them - they would get the exterminators in
The concrete lid was *really* heavy to lift off... now i know why!
Looks like these girls have been here for a while, I am bout to build a 'bee vac' and try and safely get them out!
Might create a post of my adventures (if it all works!)
Nice find Ralphee. It seems they just need a cavity and they?ll make it work.
Kevin
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Cheers Kwalt,
The photos are a bit rough as i was really suited up for this (was expecting them to not be too happy with me!)
Still working on building the bee vac.... i have all the parts, just dont have the time!!!
Will post some pics when i do go get them :wink: