Found a location for more hives, and more and less

[Moonshae]

I decided not to wait until late winter/early spring to find a location for my splits, so I contacted a local farmer, and he was totally open to having my hives on his property (go figure!). He did tell me, though, that he had two hobbyists more or less abandon three hives on his farm this year...they never did anything to maintain them. I'm a little concerned that they may be harboring things that could infect my hives, so I'm thinking about treating them at my expense in the spring (if they make it through the winter), and if the beeks don't claim their hives then, to see what I can do about making them my own.

Does this seem like a good plan, or should I encourage the farmer to do something else with these hives between now and then? My impression was that he didn't really know much about or have much contact with the beeks...he referred to one of them as an older guy who dropped off his hive in the spring who hasn't been seen since. I wouldn't want them becoming pest breeding grounds for pests, collapsing, and bringing nasties to my hives.

I'm supposed to contact him in November to check out locations and what not...should I do an inspection of these other hives while I'm there? What would I look for in November, in a hive I've never opened before, that will probably be in a cluster? I'd definitely bathe my tools in alcohol before using them again on my hives...but it would be nice if they were salvageable and essentially free for the taking in the spring. I think it's shameful that these hives were poorly maintained...if I "gave up" on hives, I'd spray them with some soapy water rather than let them just fade away, possibly spreading disease.

[Kirk-o]

Hey Buddy
You know maybe these guys had there bees some were and had to move them and didn't want then any more.I had a guy call me he had two hives at his house and the people next door complained and he had to move them no place to go wanted me to by them and move them.It dosent make sense they would leave them un attended.Maybe they stopped by to chec the bees but went unnoticed who knows.I would set my bees up and then see whats up in the spring
kirko

[Understudy]

Sounds like free hives to me.

Go and check out the abandon hives. If they are in good shape. Run with it.

If they are not and totally horrible you have firewood.

Worst case attempt to contact the original owners. If they say something tell them what your concerns are. If they say take them over. Enjoy them. If you can't get in contact with them. I would not worry about it.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[randydrivesabus]

i think you should contact the owners before doing anything. the farmer should know how to contact them.

[doak]

I don't know about all States but some States will consider Hives left unattended for a certain length of time as abandoned property.
I would check with the ones who left the hives and then take the steps to save them asap if they have gave them up. Rather than go in spend time ans $$$'s then have them come in and claim them.
A situation like this can get sticky.
JMO
doak

[Old Timer]

look up New Jersey Statute 4:6-19. If you know the inspector, you may be able to get them to let you have the hives after the 60 days instead of them, the inspector, removing or destroying them. If you just take the hives you could get in trouble if the owner comes back. If you go through the proper channels and the hives are deemed abandoned, i don't think anyone could do anything to you if they decide to come back and get them after the 60 days. maybe something happened to the older guy that dropped the hive off last spring, i know i'm older and anything's liable to happen to me at any time. when something happens to me, someone better take care of my bees while i'm gone and not spray them with soapy water.

the good thing about where they are now is that your bees aren't around them and you have a chance to look them over before you put any bees around them. i'd wait until spring before i moved any hives out there. this would give you an opportunity to do a few inspections first.

if you go ahead and get with the farmer now, you may be able to acquire those hives as a christmas present  instead of waiting until spring. chances are if they were not managed since spring, the guy that dropped them won't be back.

don't look in the hives in november unless the bees are flying, 55 to 60 degrees. then just do a complete hive inspection like you would your own hives.

use a propane torch on your hive tool instead of alcohol and try not to wear your gloves.

[JMN]

use a propane torch on your hive tool instead of alcohol and try not to wear your gloves.

Old Timer,  What do you mean by that?  You mean to burn up the hive or there is a new smoker that uses propane or alcohol?  :?

Yeah, I know I'm dumb.

[Understudy]

use a propane torch on your hive tool instead of alcohol and try not to wear your gloves.

Old Timer,  What do you mean by that?  You mean to burn up the hive or there is a new smoker that uses propane or alcohol?  :?

Yeah, I know I'm dumb.

The hive tool is a metal prybar like device. He is recommending heat it up enough to kill any germs or bacteria that may be on it so they don't get transfered from hive to another. Gloves are also another way germs get transfered. It is a good idea to wash your hands after going into strange hives.

Now there is also scorching the inside of hive bodies. Which is where you basically take a torch and toast the inside of the hive body so as to kill any nastinees that may be there. It is a way to kill the germs and bacteria that may be hanging out looking for bees.

Sincerely,
Brendhan



Sincerely,
Brendhan

[BeeHopper]

Moonshae,

Congrats on finding a farm  :-D 

I would try to make contact with the beeks of those hives as soon as possible and ask what their intentions are, meanwhile if it were me, I'd get the farmers permission to go on the farm now and check them out while it is still warm.

[doak]

Yes, heat the hive tool up and wash your other gear, that can't be heated, with cold water and soap.
I use the torch once a year to burn the creosote off my smoker. I take the bellows off of course. :roll: ;)
You can even torch the inside of hive boxes, with no frames or bees in them of course. Just hold the torch a good distance away and not too long in one spot.
Have at It. :roll: ;) ;)
doak

[Cindi]

Awe, my guess is that the beekeeper that left the hives has had something happen to him that he can't return.  But, I would ask the owner of the place where the bees are if he can find out what is going on, before you do any action, whatsover.  That may be a sad thing for the beekeeper.

There should definitely and irrevocably be a law against not looking after bees' health.  Say, after 60 days (like it was posted), if someone comes across these hives, they should be allowed to be taken over by a caring beekeeper.  The bees these days need a little human intervention.  Life is not as good as it was once for the bees, we all know that.  Taking good care of bees should be everyone's responsibility, they deserve it.....look what they do for our world!!!  Have a beautiful and wonderful day, best of this great world we inhabit.  Cindi

[Brian D. Bray]

If you're going to torch (char) the insides of the boxes remember to disassemble them 1st.  Nasty things can hide in the cracks and seams that will survive because not enough heat can be applied directly toward them in boxes that are nailed together.

If you ever inspect a hive with AFB it is imperitive that you torch it thoroughly before using it on another hive--It is a good idea to carry more than 1 hive tool

[Cindi]

Brian I like your advice to people.  It is not wishy washy, you tell it like it is and that is a wonderful thing for all to learn.  Doing it right!!!!  Have a wonderful and excellent life.  Cindi