Smoke Out

[rgeary]

Come spring, I'm thinking of removing some bees from a tree.  This tree has a large entrance at the bottom.  Not very good for a trap out cone.  This tree is also in town, next to some apartments.   I was wondering every ones thoughts about drilling a hole near what I think is the top of the chamber and smoking them out from the bottom, after I cover the bottom with wire mesh?  I'm thinking this would allow the tree to live, and I could get the complete colony out within a day, so as to not bother the tenants.  Please give me some good feedback ideas, agree or disagree.

[BeeMaster2]

If it was a new swarm that just moved in you could smoke them out. Since they are established with brood they will not abandon the brood.
You will need to do a trap out to get them out without cutting the tree. You can use a tarp to seal up the bottom and just cut a hole for them to get out. I like to use the little plastic bee escape that is designed to go over the inner cover hole. I mount it on a board that can cover and seal the hole up. It will take 3 to 6 weeks to work. If you have SHB sit will go quicker.
Jim

[texanbelchers]

I second this.  I tried it and added HoneyBGone when the smoke didn't work.  Bees were out, but it was a long mess and they all died the next day.  I'm guessing too many oils, etc.

[Psparr]

Look up a "hogan style" trap.

[Michael Bush]

I have never managed to get the bees to leave an established colony by smoking them.  Maybe Fisher's Bee Quick or Bee Go might work, but I doubt that as well...

[bwallace23350]

If I was planning on capturing a wild hive in the spring should I try to catch a swarm or do a cut out of an established hive?

[iddee]

CATCH A SWARM, 10 times over.

Better chance of getting a queen.
Less likely to be heavily diseased.
No 8 hours of stinging, sweaty work.
Known amount of bees in the group.
No complaints about tearing their house apart.
Less absconding.

[bwallace23350]

Thanks