Bee removal from a tree trunk

czman11 · March 01, 2012, 03:36:19 PM

Hi everybody. I have a customer that wants to get rid of the bees from a tree trunk of an old tree that will be eventually cut down. I would proceed with trap out but she needs to heave it done fast since one of her dogs has tendencies to eat the bees and every time her dog gets stung she has to take it to the vet to save its life. So I will be getting the bees out as soon as the weather permits. However, since the trap out may be a long procedure and she wants them gone as fast as possible I need to cut them out.

If anyone has experience with the cut out from a tree trunk I would appreciate any suggestions. The hive is only about 10' of the ground and very easy accessible.

Paul

D Semple · March 01, 2012, 03:48:22 PM

Hey Paul,

I'll let others discuss the process, some of the very best bee removers in the whole world are on this site.

But, figure out a way to talk her into waiting till at least the 1st or 2nd week of April, it's still to early in the season to remove them here in Kansas.

Make it all about saving the bees and rescueing them, and appeal to her soft heart.

Good luck

Don

czman11 · March 01, 2012, 04:05:52 PM

Hi Don,
I went to look at the tree today and the colony is very active. Believe or not they are bringing pollen into the hive already. I was puzzled by where is the pollen coming from and noticed one kind of tree which I don't know what it is heaving small blossoms on it and they were taking it right from there. My orchard is about to blossom. I checked the weather for the next 10 days and beginning Monday the temperatures during the day will be way above 60 and at night above 40. With the mild weather we had, it looks like we may be heading into early spring. I definitely don't want to hurt the bees since I need them for honey. I am planing on giving them back all of the honey they currently have including the brood of course. The question is, will they be able to repair all of the combs and settle by the time this warm spell ends. If it ends. With all this activity early i am afraid they might swarm early.

Paul

D Semple · March 01, 2012, 05:27:59 PM

Quote from: czman11 on March 01, 2012, 04:05:52 PM
Hi Don,
I checked the weather for the next 10 days and beginning Monday the temperatures during the day will be way above 60 and at night above 40. With the mild weather we had, it looks like we may be heading into early spring. I definitely don't want to hurt the bees since I need them for honey. I am planing on giving them back all of the honey they currently have including the brood of course. The question is, will they be able to repair all of the combs and settle by the time this warm spell ends. If it ends. With all this activity early i am afraid they might swarm early. Paul

No Paul, the bees aren't making new wax here yet. While they have just strated bringing in Maple and Elm pollen there is no incoming nectar.

And, while it's the mildest spring I can ever remember, it's still only March 1st and we are bound to have nights yet in the low 20's and teens. You being an orchard grower you'll remember late April of 09' when we had a week of temperatures with daytime highs in the teens. Cutouts are very stressful on a colony and almost always set them back a month and it's to early to start liquid feeding.

As far as swarming goes last year was also somewhat of a mild spring (we didn't have a hard frost after April 1st) and our 1st swarms started the very end of April and peaked the second week of May. And, besides I would much prefer to catch the swarm and then do the cutout.

Be patient, offer to put up a little woven wire fence to keep her dog back from the tree and a gallon of honey. Heck, offer to rub her feet if it will help. :)

czman11 · March 01, 2012, 06:45:42 PM

That makes sense Don and you are right, I did not think of making wax which is apparently very crucial for the new colony rebuild their combs. By the way the frost of 09 killed all of my fruits. Thanks for the input. I'll wait for April. Now, if you or anyone else has good idea to make a cut out into a tree trunk let me know.

Paul

D Semple · March 02, 2012, 10:05:40 AM

Quote from: czman11 on March 01, 2012, 06:45:42 PM
Now, if you or anyone else has good idea to make a cut out into a tree trunk let me know.

Paul

Glad your going to make her wait Paul.

About your tree removal, this subject was just covered in a thread from a couple of weeks ago: http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,36263.msg303739.html#msg303739

JP's post that has the picture links does a great job showing the best way to tackle a tree removal.

If you can post up a couple of pictures of the tree where you're going to be doing the cutout, we can give you more specific advice.

Welcome to the club, sounds like from the number of calls your getting your going to be needing more spare hives SOON.

Don

czman11 · March 02, 2012, 10:26:44 AM

You are right Don, I have lined up so far 4 removals and it looks like I may have another 2 coming. I have been building hives just to keep up with the requests. Fortunately, there is only 1 other person in 50 miles radius that does removals so it looks like there should be enough bees for the both of us.

D Semple · March 02, 2012, 11:25:32 AM

Cool, you sound a little crazy, just like me. I had 4 removals lined up before the start of last year and I didn't even own a veil, or know how to light a smoker. Good folks here got me taught.

We have a good population of feral bees here in the eastern half of Kansas and I recon between Manhattan, Junction City, Salina, Topeka, and Council Grove, your going to get more work than you know what to do with. Last year I was hoping to capture or remove enough bees for 4 or 5 hives and ended up doing 14 removals and catching 13 swarms. April, May, and June are the insanely crazy busy months, might want to give your wife a heads up.

Good luck, have fun.

Don

czman11 · March 02, 2012, 12:11:25 PM

This is definitely good news. I need as much business as I can get. And you are right, I am probably as crazy as you. I just received my first bee suit and last time I had bees was the summer before that horrible winter ice storm that killed all of my bees. I just decided last fall to get back to bees and started slowly getting the equipment I need for removals. Actually, the removals idea was planted in my head after someone told me that they have bees in their wall for the past 2 years and can not find anyone to remove it. They said that the only option in this area are exterminators and they kill the bees. That was why they have not have them removed. I lined up that removal and did not have any equipment what so ever. I am happy to know that you had so much business last year since that gives me an idea what may be ahead. Now I just need to get an idea how much to charge and I'll be golden. by the way you may email me at [email protected]