Cut-out behaviour question

[Scadsobees]

OK, not my behaviour, that is already in question... :roll:

I'm planning on doing a cutout from the inside at a gas station.  The entrance to the hive is a crack overlooking some gas pumps, about 8 -10 feet up and a bit away from the entrance to the building.

I'm concerned that once we start cutting into the hive and removing it that the bees will cluster on the outside and get agitated and bother/sting random people who may come into the store.  Does anybody know how they will react once I start?

The bees are in an old flat roof that has a newer steel roof erected over it.  I'll have to cut into the top of the old roof to expose the hive.

Thanks, Rick

[Scott Derrick]

Rick,

There are many issues to determine whether or not bees from this job are going to be highly defensive or not. If they are queenless they may be very defensive. One of the first things I do when I am evaluating a colony prior to cut-out in a populated area is to approach them. I have had colonies that won't allow me to be within 10 feet of them and I have had some that I could go right up to the entrance and handle barehanded. If they are highly defensive they of course will let you know it. If you have ever performed a cut-out and have very defensive bees you can smell what I refer to as their attack pheromone. To me is smells much like bananas or banana oil. If I have a colony that won't let me approach them to within 3 to 4 feet without "head butting" me I will typically try to perform the cut-out after hours or I cordon the the area off at least 25 feet. In my humble opinion that is a safe distance.

I have also taken out liability insurance to protect myself in case of litigation.

All the best!

[Jerrymac]

The bees are in an old flat roof that has a newer steel roof erected over it.  I'll have to cut into the top of the old roof to expose the hive.

If you can go in from under the hive I believe would be better. If going in from the top of the hive I hope you know exactly where they are. But if it is OK to destroy the old roof then no problem. Cause you will be tearing out a lot of it. (Just a prediction)

At first the bees will probably be all over the place in a state of confusion, and if at all possible do not bang, hammer, knock, on any part of the area the hive is located. This really makes them angry. I have cut right into the hive area with circular power saws and they don't mind at all.

After you get into ripping out the comb and stuff the bees are going to start looking for hiding places and bunching up in corners. They will go to the furtherest corner they can find. Keep that in mind if you know how the area is constructed, they will run down the length of a rafter and hide  way out of reach. 

[Robo]

Youve gotten great advice so far, but to add a couple of things.
1. Use of a beevac reduces the amount of bees flying around.
2. If your concerned about things getting out of hand, be prepared to kill them.  A gallon garden sprayer filled with soap water eases the mind.


Make sure you take pictures

[Understudy]

Let's see we have a feral colony at a gas station. And you want to do a cut out.
So you get the bees worked up. Someone drives in with their window down and crashes into the pump. Bee problem solved.

You also have a roof on a roof situation. Translation the hive will exist in areas you don't see and the queen will be able to hide and not easily be found.

I am also going to make a different recommendation. Instead of filling the sprayer with soap and water fill it with cold sugar water.

Here is why, bees are cold blooded, when you spray them with the solution they will not fly*. Also since it is sugar water it is sticky they will become a sticky ball. Much easier to deal with.

Be prepared for this to take all day.

Sincerely,
Brendhan


* the spray solution only gets the outer layer of bees. The inner layer will be dry and warm and if you screw up add mad. I recommend repeated intervals of spraying.

[Scadsobees]

Thanks for the advice!  I'm planning on the bee vac.  I'll have a spray bottle of sugar water.

I can probably tape off a 10 foot section so people don't park there, that put people 20+ feet away from the entrance. (it isn't terribly busy during the day)

I am quite sure that they aren't very defensive, the hive has been there for several years.  I'll be chopping into the top of the old flat roof since there is a peaked steel roof above.

The last cutout I did from the inside and they were very calm, but I didn't see the entrance on the outside when I was cutting it.  It should be fine, I just wanted to check.

Thanks, Rick

[Robo]

Good luck, it sounds like you're well prepared.   Just go easy with the sugar water if your using the bee vac.  There is nothing more disappointing after what you think was a successful cut out, then to find a ball of dead sticky bees.