If You See this, Leave!

[JP]

If you are called in to perform a removal and see stains underneath the entrance or adjacent to the entrance of a colony beware. I posted these pics to show what it looks like when a colony has been sprayed. This one in fact has been sprayed several times over many yrs I was told. The dark stains are from honey that leaked out and ran, after the spraying. For those of you wanting a healthy hive, stay away from these, the combs have most likely been contaminated.

As a rule I don't post pics of these types of removals but decided to do so to give some of you a head's up on what to look for, and what to look out far.

Notice the waxmoth cocoons in the third pic.

Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/April182008


...JP

[Understudy]

And yet despite the stupid humans the bees survived.

They are lucky the honey didn't attract ants and rodents.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[MustbeeNuts]

What can you do with bees that come from a removal like that, they couldn't possibly be usable correct?

[JP]

Probably at least attracted ants, the entrance the bees were using could be used now by a very large rat or raccoon. Once I exposed the colony I realized how badly rotten the wood was adjacent to the chimney.

I had my fix it all guy come by and give them an estimate to repair the rotten wood and re-flash the chimney, the way it should have been flashed the first time around.

Now when I see stains from honey drippings and mention that I can tell they've had bees in an area like this before and they tell me no, I leave. What else would they lie about?


...JP

[JP]

What can you do with bees that come from a removal like that, they couldn't possibly be usable correct?

Usually not. Don, aka the fatbeeman says hives where chemicals have been used you routinely have to requeen anywhere from 6 months- 1 and a 1/2 yrs tops, because of infertility problems, and the chemicals he is referring to are ones that were designed to treat honeybee colonies. Can't imagine what commercial grade pesticides would do to the fertility of a queen and what detriment to the colony as a whole.

When I have my doubts I only save the bees and 86 the combs, have to treat them like a swarm or package then.


...JP

[Scott Derrick]

JP,

Good one buddy! Thanks for the info. I have see a few of those this year where they have been sprayed. I'm like you, I treat them as a swarm and don't use the comb of feed the honey I might find to other bees. You just never know if any of it is tainted.

Thanks again!

[Michael Bush]

When I find they have been sprayed (and I always sniff for the smell of Raid) I walk away.  There is no reason to waste my time on dying bees.