3 Removals, One Very Cool External Colony-March 12, 2010

JP · March 12, 2010, 10:15:56 PM

First hive I removed last Saturday, small, absolutely no stores & nothing new coming in, bees on brink of starvation. Since then bees happy and being fed, pollen coming in.

2nd I removed yesterday evening, external colony, that I looked at in January. They have grown, hardly any stores, lots of gentle bees, sucking down the feed. Had approximately 12-14 queen cups.

Today, gentle colony, decent bit of bees, some stores, two queen cups.

Our bees are still a week to ten days from swarming, 3 -3 and a half weeks behind schedule.

The bright side is our weather has warmed up and white clover is blooming, perhaps some willow, blackberry soon.

Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/112138792165178452970/March122010#

...JP

hardwood · March 12, 2010, 11:08:47 PM

Once again Jp "you da man!". I'll be doing a tough one on Sunday. Real brick over wood frame....have to go in through the indoor (tiled) shower just at a "t" in the framing. I'll be thinking the whole time...WWJPD. :-D

Scott

JP · March 12, 2010, 11:14:44 PM

Quote from: hardwood on March 12, 2010, 11:08:47 PM
Once again Jp "you da man!". I'll be doing a tough one on Sunday. Real brick over wood frame....have to go in through the indoor (tiled) shower just at a "t" in the framing. I'll be thinking the whole time...WWJPD. :-D

Scott

I'll tell you what I'd be doing, hiding! :-D

That sounds like an aweful one Scott, good luck and please post lots of pictures.

...JP

hardwood · March 12, 2010, 11:20:38 PM

I'll try to get some pics if I can, but I've got the feeling I'll be up to my elbows in "sticky"...gotta love it!

Scott

Sparky · March 12, 2010, 11:36:15 PM

Great Pics. JP. Looks like you are a busy man already. The outside colony that was in the bush had some size to the combs and amount of bees. Looked like the type from the tropical regions of the world.

schawee · March 12, 2010, 11:53:46 PM

nice pics,will be doing my first cutout at my sister in-laws house.bees going in where the bricks meet the siding (2 story home).do you have any tips........

annette · March 13, 2010, 12:14:33 AM

You always have these awesome photos of the queen that I find amazing. You make it look so, so easy JP

Thanks once again for sharing
Annette

JP · March 13, 2010, 12:21:28 AM

Quote from: schawee on March 12, 2010, 11:53:46 PM
nice pics,will be doing my first cutout at my sister in-laws house.bees going in where the bricks meet the siding (2 story home).do you have any tips........

Bees most likely are in between the two floors. You have three choices on how to go about this, but before you do anything, verify exactly where the colony indeed is located.

1) From the outside: Have to remove siding to get to band board, then cut band board section between joists. Potential problem depending on how long they've been there is the possibility that comb sections are further in than you can reach.

2) Cut ceiling. If possible cut opening further over than where bees are to allow you to detach comb sections without honey dripping all over you. Iddee loves this method, not me. ;)

3) From above. If carpet over plywood, pull carpet back and cut plywood on ceiling joists. Invert plywood. Can get a little messy but at least honey is not dripping down on you! This is my preferred method, but to each his own.

If you can 100% verify size of colony, option 1 may be a pretty good option, but remember, if it extends further into the room than you can extend, you will have to go in and open ceiling or floor as well, and that would indeed suck. Been there.

And have fun and don't be in a rush.

...JP

Kathyp · March 13, 2010, 12:46:20 AM

and take extra stuff. better to many frames and boxes than not enough. have you looked at list of things to take?

JP · March 13, 2010, 01:09:12 AM

Quote from: kathyp on March 13, 2010, 12:46:20 AM
and take extra stuff. better to many frames and boxes than not enough. have you looked at list of things to take?

Yes, bring every tool you own and cram them all in a trailer or better yet a van!

...JP

iddee · March 13, 2010, 08:42:07 AM

JP's right. I like #2. To each his own. All 3 work and each cutout you do will require a different approach. The main thing is to get them out the easiest and cleanest way you can find, with the least upset.

JP, Nice pics. I guess spring has sprung in LA. I'm jealous.

JP · March 13, 2010, 09:51:46 AM

Iddee, I really, really hope spring is here. I believe it is, but you never know with this global warming thing right? :-D

...JP

Natalie · March 13, 2010, 09:35:03 PM

Awesome Jp! You are off and running now, its that time of year so we will only hear from jp in between all his cutouts. :-D

poka-bee · March 13, 2010, 11:11:19 PM

JP still the Swarm King! Great pics as usual. I like the ones with their little butts in the air fanning. I can't even imagine how ugly it would be if I was cutting things apart...You are so tidy! Keep it up, the season is just starting.

Jody

Highlandsfreedom · March 13, 2010, 11:26:37 PM

I love the pic's as well you take great photos I cant wait till its bee time up here in Colorado!!!!

JP · March 14, 2010, 07:02:27 AM

Quote from: Highlandsfreedom on March 13, 2010, 11:26:37 PM
I love the pic's as well you take great photos I cant wait till its bee time up here in Colorado!!!!

Hey, thanks alot, but the camera I have does all the work! Good to see you back on and posting.

Have a great season!

...JP

DayValleyDahlias · March 14, 2010, 12:08:29 PM

JP, you are still the Swarm King!

JP · March 14, 2010, 02:10:38 PM

Well bust my britches Jody and Sharon showing up on this thread, haven't seen y'all in a while, glad to see you. I wonder if that other lady will show up too. That would certainly make it official that the season is truly here!

You know who I'm speaking of right?

Hint: Rocks and Whoppo.

I don't know, she's pretty incognito these days!

...JP ;)

Irwin · March 14, 2010, 03:47:16 PM

Nice pic's JP but come on let's see a video of the Swarm king at work :-D

JP · March 14, 2010, 03:51:07 PM

Quote from: Irwin on March 14, 2010, 03:47:16 PM
Nice pic's JP but come on let's see a video of the Swarm king at work :-D

Haven't sprung for the new camera just yet, but I will be getting it soon! If you make one of you riding the pink bycycle it will definitely give me incentive.

Now if you make one with beer cans stuck to your head riding the pink bycycle, I will have no choice but to go out and get one that day!

...JP