moving bees tomorrow. Thoughts or advice?

paulh · October 28, 2008, 01:17:30 PM

Yesterday, while cleaning out his wood duck nesting boxes, a friend found that honey bees have moved in to one over the summer and built up a nice size colony. I'm going tomorrow to remove the entire box from the tree and bring it home, far away from any temptation of his to remove (kill) the bees. I'll decide over the winter what to do with them next spring.

I plan to cover the opening with screen, keep the box upright the entire time, and find it a stable place in the yard for the winter.

Any thoughts or advice?

BjornBee · October 28, 2008, 01:42:27 PM

In the snow. :shock: Are you crazy! :-D

Sounds like the move will go smoothly.

asprince · October 28, 2008, 08:09:42 PM

My mentor has had a duck box of bees hanging on a post in his back yard for years. He catches a swarm from it nearly every year.

Steve

mick · October 29, 2008, 05:08:33 AM

Have strong drink at hand for afterwards.

BjornBee · October 29, 2008, 08:53:12 AM

Quote from: mick on October 29, 2008, 05:08:33 AM
Have strong drink at hand for afterwards.

Mick, If your ever in town...you can select the one you want.. :-D

My youngest demonstrates the average serving! :shock:

BeeHopper · October 29, 2008, 10:01:45 AM

Gosh Bjornbee :shock: That's a HUGE mug you got there and the Daughter is cute too. I checked out your website for the first time, very nice.

BTW paulh, Good Luck on the move. I think the ducks might want their home back . :-D

JP · October 29, 2008, 10:21:32 AM

Quote from: paulh on October 28, 2008, 01:17:30 PM
Yesterday, while cleaning out his wood duck nesting boxes, a friend found that honey bees have moved in to one over the summer and built up a nice size colony. I'm going tomorrow to remove the entire box from the tree and bring it home, far away from any temptation of his to remove (kill) the bees. I'll decide over the winter what to do with them next spring.

I plan to cover the opening with screen, keep the box upright the entire time, and find it a stable place in the yard for the winter.

Any thoughts or advice?

Sounds like a plan.

...JP

paulh · October 30, 2008, 03:12:15 PM

Well, with a little effort and planning we got the box down and I have it out in my quickly expanding beeyard. I reduced the entrance from the ~4" diameter duck entrance hole down to a crescent shape about 3/4" at it's widest. This afternoon they are out, hovering around the front and checking out the new neighborhood. It feels nice and heavy, the ~1.5 cubic foot box wieghs about 50-60#.