Most Interesting Result of Ice Storm

[DennisB]

A couple of weeks ago we had 2 large ice storms within a weeks time period. The 2nd storm was the bigger of the two and came as a thunderstorm on a Saturday night. We had lightning and thunder but instead of rain it was sleet and freezing rain. Our power went out at 8 am Sunday morning. It has taken about 2 weeks to clean up the mess. The most interesting and sad results of the storm happened on a large hill on the back of our property. We had a large white oak tree in the woods that was probably 20 inches in diameter that had snapped about 15-18 feet above the ground. Where it had snapped was a feral bee hive that was huge. On the ground where the upper part of the tree landed I found about 4-5 pounds worth of broken comb. About 6 or so feet away was a spot where some animal had torn apart and eaten the newer comb with the honey and brood (if there was any). Not sure what animal it was but there were raccoon and possibly coyote tracks among others that were in the snow there.

Really to bad. I am planning on putting out some swarm traps this year for the first time. I am sure there has to be more out there. We have 60 acres of forest and are surround by another couple of hundred acres on two sides of the same.

DennisB

[LocustHoney]

All the older beeks around here swear by the swarm traps. Good luck!!

[DennisB]

Thanks for the reply. I have built a couple of 5 frame nuc boxes to strap to the trees as traps. That way I can use standard frames for transferring to other hive boxes. Do you guys usually requeen when you catch a swarm or use the old queen?

DennisB

[JP]

Swarm traps work. Dennis, White Oaks are pretty hardy trees, had that tree been struck by lightening before? Or it sounds like it may have had another problem, for there to be a cavity in a white oak.

My .02, JP

[DennisB]

JP I think that it had either been struck or just had reached its maturity. Just down the hill from it a 24 incher went over breaking off at the base. It was due to age, within a year or so it would have been down anyway. Just gives me more firewood. (wealready have 4 cords cut and a thousand more to go, it seems). I was fascinated by the feral hive and the way it was attached to the sides of the interior.

Sure am looking forward to a great year.

DennisB

[DennisB]

JP, how big is Metairie? I have an old acquantance that lives in that town.

DennisB

[Understudy]

Swarm traps baited with lemongrass oil and some comb work wonders.

Sincerely,
Brendhan