bees in hollow mesquite limb!

[johnnybigfish]

My nabor called me to come catch a swarm last week. She said she got stung while mowing near a tree....I went to check it out and decided I'd snatch the bees off the tree even tho there werent many there to consider a swarm.. At any rate,I brushed at the bees to knock them in a box, and it turns out they arent a swarm at all! They were bearding all around a hole in the tree limb!..I figure thats why they stung her, cuz they live in the tree!
Ok...I now have a limb(hollow), with another hole near the lower part which doesnt appear to be used....I can use a chainsaw and cut the limb off and take it home..Its about 12 inches across near the bottom...8 inches near the top, about where the hole is where they come and go,,..I dont know what way to cut....should I cut the top off of the limb first to make it lighter?. Also, where do you suppose the comb is, above or below the hole? I cant get my arm into the hole to feel any comb....and, once I get the limb off, should I try to split it? Then do the rubber banding method to the comb and frames?
Any ideas to make this easier would be greatly appreciated :)...oh yeh....I dont think the option to leave them alone is available..Thats what I would do if I was her.
I can also post pics if that would help!...Maybe even some pics of the tree with the bees in it! :-D

your friend,
john

[Kathyp]

can you post some good pics of the limb, entrance, and relation of both to trunk?  there are folks on here, like irwin, who may be able to take a look and give you an idea on what to do.

i can tell you from my own experience that the less weight you have to deal with the better, but before you start shorting the limb, or removing it, you must wrap the entrance.  if you can wrap it with screen and duct tape the night before you cut, you'll have a better time of it.

addition:  you can probe the hive with something like a straightened coat hanger, but suit up.  it makes them fussy!

[iddee]

Begin farthest away from the tree and cut until you get to the hollow area. Look in from there until you see the comb. Cut next to the comb. Then cap with plywood or similar. If it's still a ways above the entrance, make the next cut at the entrance, if you can control the descent of the log. If you can't see comb in the entrance hole, it is only in one direction, not both. They don't split the hive.