Bees invaded my bird house

grim · August 30, 2008, 11:15:38 PM

I keep a nest box up year round for a pair of flycatchers that return each spring to nest. Recently I had a swarm of bees move in and take up residence. I have been watching them closely standing right under the box about 3' away. The bees are returning with loads of pollen on their legs. They are non aggressive when I approach. My question is... is it ok for them to stay? I don't believe they pose a risk to me or my family. I might even admit I think they are interesting and the idea of collecting honey would be cool.

I don't know if the nest box is a good home. I know there is nesting material in there as well but they don't seem to mind. Should I try to buy them a hive and put them in it? A small one (Nuc?)?? From the research I did they are great for the environment so I am cool with them sticking around.

Understudy · August 31, 2008, 12:50:17 AM

One of the most common removals I do is from bird and duck boxes. They make great bee hives.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

LBEE · August 31, 2008, 01:12:10 AM

I can think of several questions before giving an opinion. First, where are you located? Trying to remove them now might not be a good idea if you are in the Northern climes. On the other hand, if you are in the South, I would suspect that a local beekeeper would recommend it. Secondly, what is the size and shape of the birdhouse? If it is very small, it would be difficult in the Northern areas for the bees to store enough honey to get them through. In the South, it may be OK. I removed one from a bird house this spring, but now it is fall. You may want to put a wind shield or some protection from the elements and try to get them through the winter and move next spring, if they can make it. It would be a good idea to see if there is a local bee club or at least a beekeeper who is local, who can help you if you have never worked with bees before.

Be careful if you are in areas where the African Honey Bee has been found. This would include Southern California, Nevada and New Mexico, all of Arizona, South and West Texas, Southwest Oklahoma, part of Southern Arkansas, parts of Louisiana, and Southern Florida. Maps are available on the internet. Do a Google for African Honey Bee Map.

Best Wishes.

Larry

SgtMaj · August 31, 2008, 01:44:04 AM

Quote from: LBEE on August 31, 2008, 01:12:10 AMBe careful if you are in areas where the African Honey Bee has been found. This would include Southern California, Nevada and New Mexico, all of Arizona, South and West Texas, Southwest Oklahoma, part of Southern Arkansas, parts of Louisiana, and Southern Florida. Maps are available on the internet. Do a Google for African Honey Bee Map.

Best Wishes.

Larry

... And Georgia.

eri · August 31, 2008, 08:59:24 AM

As of August 2008 there are no Africanized Honey Bees in Georgia.
http://www.gabeekeeping.com/ahb.htm

Card · August 31, 2008, 09:32:56 AM

Quote from: GrimMy question is... is it ok for them to stay?

In all honesty, that's up to you. If you're OK with them being there, and they're obviously digging it, then I'm not sure why it wouldn't be OK. Personally, I'd leave them be for the winter and if they're still around in the spring, then consider putting them in a hive if you're interested in pursuing the hobby further.

Depending on where you live, I'll be honest and say that their prospects for making it through the coming winter probably aren't all that great no matter what you do. If they just recently moved in there, then they don't have a lot of time to store honey before it gets cold. Putting them in a nuc or a hive now would probably just add to the stress level and I don't think it would improve their chances all that much.

Quote from: GrimI don't know if the nest box is a good home.

That kind of depends on how big it is, and I'm not familiar with flycatchers so I'm not sure about that. If it's the size of your average birdhouse then I think it's most likely they'll eventually get overcrowded in there and move on to more spacious accomodations. That's if they make it through the winter, and if you decide not to put them in a hive in the spring.

As everyone else has mentioned though, it would be very helpful if we knew where you're located. Giving advice on honeybees is extremely location-dependent, especially at this time of year.

Moonshae · August 31, 2008, 03:14:23 PM

Also, bees do not entirely conform to the size of the space they fill. You would have trouble keeping them year round as a nuc...they'd need to be transferred to a full sized hive eventually, or they'll swarm. Just letting them go may or may not work, too. There are a number of pests that generally require some management in order to increase the chances that the hive will survive. If you're not really interested in being a beekeeper, though, you could just let them stay in the nest box for as long as they thrive.

grim · August 31, 2008, 09:40:58 PM

The replies so far have been great. Thanks everyone. The box was not built to any specific dimensions. I would say it is about 40" deep and around 12" wide. The entrance hole is around 3". At night I noticed they are all over the front of the box. A big mound. I am not sure if they are guarding or they all can't fit inside. I live in central Florida on the east coast. They have been bringing in loads of pollen. Should I attempt to feed them some sugar water to help them build up food storage? If so what would be the best way to do so? I would love for them to stick around. Also would building a larger box with a more appropriate entrance and attaching it to the same tree maybe encourage them to move into it if they make it through the winter? I know I don't have the time to really manage a hive and collect honey but I do enjoy them on my property already and would love to put up a new home for them if it would encourage them to stay in the spring. Thanks for the advice

Moonshae · September 02, 2008, 09:07:15 PM

They won't move from the box on their own if they're established. If you want to feed them, you could use some sort of feeder with 2:1 syrup in it, you just need to make sure there is something in there to keep them from piling up and drowning the bottom bees. I use a dog waterer with the 1 gal reservoir on the back, and fill the basin with rocks so the syrup is accessible but not so much that the bees couldn't crawl out. Works great.

Brian D. Bray · September 04, 2008, 12:41:47 AM

Quote from: Moonshae on August 31, 2008, 03:14:23 PM
Also, bees do not entirely conform to the size of the space they fill. You would have trouble keeping them year round as a nuc...they'd need to be transferred to a full sized hive eventually, or they'll swarm. Just letting them go may or may not work, too. There are a number of pests that generally require some management in order to increase the chances that the hive will survive. If you're not really interested in being a beekeeper, though, you could just let them stay in the nest box for as long as they thrive.

Or transfer frames of bees out of your nucs to boost your honey producers. Pulling a few frames and replacing them in the nucs keeps the nucs small but busy building comb. I will be doing that again next year with the extra queens I hold as emergency replacements. 2 tier nuc to hold queens and rotate out frames to boost other hives or make splits from.

tlynn · September 04, 2008, 10:17:04 PM

I'd say this might be the perfect time to move them if you are interested in starting this (ridiculously addictive) hobby! I live in the same neck of the woods as you. I just split a hive recently to time it with an upcoming flow.

Those bees are about ready to experience a large nectar flow from Brazilian Pepper http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/invaspec/2ndlevpgs/pdfs/BrazillianPepper.pdf. Here in Tampa it's just starting to bud so we'll have flowers in a week or two. If you aren't familiar with it it's an invasive and has spread rapidly through south and central Florida. Produces gazillions of seeds the birds love to eat and deposit everywhere. You have it all around you, at least within a mile I would bet, unless you live in the middle of a golf course. Apparently it doesn't make the best of honey, but local beekeepers say (my first year so I am going on what they tell me) it's an abundant and strong nectar flow that can produce 100#+ of honey per hive this month. The commercial beekeepers around here sell it as baker's honey at a cheaper price, not table quality. This will be the overwintering honey most of us hobbyists will leave for the bees.

Others in this forum have the cut out experience; I don't, so I'll defer to them on what to do.

If you decide to start a hive, contact Bert Kelley at Kelley's Apiaries 863-644-6944. He's in Lakeland and is a small Dadant dealer. He marks up his product a little bit to offset his shipping and trips to the warehouse, but considering what the companies charge for shipping, you'd probably save money driving to his place, then he can show you what's involved. He stocks quite a bit of their equipment. Oh, and he's open MWF.

Have fun!

EasternShore · September 06, 2008, 11:22:47 AM

If interested, go to this site:

www.brushymountainbeefarm.com

They have a cool English Hive setup which would be a nice addition to any back yard.

WARNING: If you are in FLA. Be sure they are NOT Africanized! Find someone local to look at them FIRST.

just a suggestion.

grim · September 08, 2008, 08:47:02 PM

Yes we have pepper trees everywhere. Would just building them a large box, painting it and creating an entrance make for a good home to house feral bees. I appreciate them for what they do for the environment. If I then mount it on a tree do I just dump the old box into the new one or am I over my head here. I know there are some bee keepers in Malabar which would probably take them. I do enjoy watching them. They also seem to congregate outside and appear to be cleaning the wood.