Mad as Heck

fcderosa · November 19, 2006, 11:01:26 PM

Well the season's cooled down here so the wife and I decided to escape to Florida for a long weekend. While we were gone somebody stole one of our hives from off our property. We live far in the woods down a private road and the hives lie in plain sight of both my and my inlaws house - scary. They had to of loaded it on a truck or something, You can't just walk off with one. All they left me was the cinderblocks it rested on. I wonder what I can do about this kind of predator :-x I'm wondering if I should move the others. I would like to leave a couple bear traps but would no doubt step in one myself. :evil:

beemaster · November 20, 2006, 12:26:53 AM

wHAT A HORRIBLE THING TO COME HOME TO. Sorry that anyone would do such a thing.

I can only imagine that someone took it for pollination, they probably would never inspect it or worse case, kill of the bees for honey. Hopefully the idiot use bugspray and make themselves ill in the process. I wouldn't want them dead if it were my hive, but terribly sick is alright by me.

I think BRANDING both the outside and inside with some marking, weither wood burned or even a gouge mark that signifies your hives. Painting in the hives is usually taboo, but an indulible market with your name and address inside each hive and some distinquishes marking (say a red painted bottom board) would catch your eye if you ever saw your hive in someone else's yard.

The red bottom board would give you a chance to spot them, turn them into the police and the indulible name and address inside the hive would be the absolute proof. I never heard of beekeepers steeling hives, except in a case I remember pollination trucks dropped off hundreds of hives south of here near a Ocean Spray owned Cranberry Bog. Someone literally hijacked a pallet and as far as I know, never caught.

I tend to think it isn't too far away, but probably well hidden from view. About the remaining hive, shame they're not Africanized - I don't think you'd have the same problem again. Good luck and keep us posted what you do!!!

Kathyp · November 20, 2006, 12:42:29 AM

whoever it is, lives close. check with the neighbors, check any bee supply places, check feed stores, and any other place that you can think of where they might have heard of, or seen someone with a new hive. report it to the police. you may not be the only one. the police may already have an idea about who has done this before. if there are any kids around, check with them and ask your own kids. someone had to not only know the hives were there, but have the brass set to be able to pick up and take a hive. anyone have any day labor around? roofers, etc.....

in the end, if you can't id your hive you probably don't have a prayer. the new thing is to RFID the hives in big operations. some brand but i like to mark my stuff with something unique and in a place where only i am going to see it or know what i means.

BeeHopper · November 20, 2006, 06:34:47 AM

Quote from: fcderosa on November 19, 2006, 11:01:26 PM
Well the season's cooled down here so the wife and I decided to escape to Florida for a long weekend. While we were gone somebody stole one of our hives from off our property. We live far in the woods down a private road and the hives lie in plain sight of both my and my inlaws house - scary. They had to of loaded it on a truck or something, You can't just walk off with one. All they left me was the cinderblocks it rested on. I wonder what I can do about this kind of predator :-x I'm wondering if I should move the others. I would like to leave a couple bear traps but would no doubt step in one myself. :evil:

This is theft, report it. Then check for telltale signs, ie: tire tracks, footprints that do not match yours.. If you received a lot of rain lately, then the ground should still be soft. Hopefully , you have identification marks on your woodenware. Good luck. BeeHopper

Cindi · November 20, 2006, 10:03:14 AM

There is nothing more inciduous in this world than a thief. Having been a foster parent for 20 some odd years, I have had things stolen from us that you would never even begin to believe. Marking the hive with a brand sounds like a great idea for anyone who has beens ,particularly if they are put out in fields for pollination, where one cannot get out to keep an eye. I agree with Kathy, you should see if there has been any recent work done on neighbours, etc., perhaps an employee of them may have seen the hives, and you know how the information line jumps by leaps and bounds. You were very lucky that only one was taken, ya, wouldn't it be nice if they were the Afranacanized? I don't think this was just someone who happened to walk down your private road through happenchance. I would leave the bear traps, just remember where you put them, you would for surely hear someone screaming loud and clear. Cindi

Trot · November 21, 2006, 09:02:24 PM

Get yourself a camera!
If security camera is not to your liking, (about $200) get yourself a type the hunters use for checking the game trails... They work at night! The thief also, most likely did his work at night.
Even an motion-light will work and a critter-gitter will make a good noise whenever something moves about.
Camera is your best bet. It gives you something to take to the police...

Regards,
Trot

mick · November 24, 2006, 07:56:27 PM

Thats a disgusting thing to do. Report it to the coppers. What would it cost to buy all made up and full of bees and honey call it a grand. Some *%^# stole $1000 from you!!!

Id put up a few posters in the local shops. Tell everyone you can think of. Someone will know their neighbour has a new hive or honey galore.

Your average theif wouldnt be game to go anywhere near bees. Its my guess that this person is a beekeeper himself. Check out who has hives regisered if you can.