Check this out!!!

JP · March 03, 2008, 08:54:40 PM

This guy put plywood over his windows for Katrina and bees got behind the plywood against the window, went inside and pulled the curtains back and wallah, an observation hive. The pics might not be that great but I think you can get the idea.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/ObservationHiveInMarreroInGuySWindow

....JP

bailey · March 03, 2008, 09:17:46 PM

you were right, it is a really cool looking observation hive.

i would leave it right there if it were mine.( at least for a little while )

i am going to be home tomorrow with nothing really to do but go to larose and check my swarm trap there. if you run across somthing interesting then call
me, i may be able to get your way.

bailey

CBEE · March 03, 2008, 10:13:02 PM

Kinda gives a new meaning to window watching

Scott Derrick · March 04, 2008, 01:35:20 AM

JP,

This was one you got? Love it man! Was it a good one?

wtiger · March 04, 2008, 01:46:37 AM

leave it until you see the queen. Suite up. open window. catch queen. do a cutout and actually have the queen in hand before you start.

Mklangelo · March 04, 2008, 02:23:24 AM

Quote from: JP on March 03, 2008, 08:54:40 PM
This guy put plywood over his windows for Katrina and bees got behind the plywood against the window, went inside and pulled the curtains back and wallah, an observation hive. The pics might not be that great but I think you can get the idea.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/ObservationHiveInMarreroInGuySWindow

....JP

Um... just a thought here... It sounds like he weathered it out at home? If so, maybe he left the plywood on too long? Like a month or two...lol

How's that for an argument for a deep? LOL.

After looking at the picture, it looks like the guy was gone two years...lol

JP · March 04, 2008, 07:19:15 AM

He had the plywood up since Katrina is the way I understand it and it has never been removed. The bees look like they moved in 2 yrs ago, best I can figure by the size of the comb and color, but that's hard to tell sometimes.

They all start as swarms you know, a swarm can be a pound and a half of bees or 6lbs of bees, the larger the swarm you can assume the faster that hive will build but then of course it depends on when they swarmed and what available resources were present at that time to help them get set up. I would love to get this job but the guy said he needs to speak with the wife about funds. I gave him a price that is way below the minimum going rate in my area and I told him I would work with him on the price if he needed me to. I know terrible business practice, but kind beekeeping principals. I am considering not charging him at all as well, but it would be nice to get paid for my time.

I know that its hard for some to fathom (the charging concept) but most of these removals are hard work, albeit passionate work. So I charge, and get paid, and love doing them.

As Cindi would probably say, as I am sweating bullets in the middle of summer with a colony of 60,000 bees (not summer yet, I know, and no this colony doesn't have that many bees perhaps 20-25,000) angry, because I am evicting them and I have painstakingly removed sections of comb one at a time and secured them to frames and I'm stained with honey, and I've been at it for 4 hrs and I have perhaps 2-3 more hrs to go, I am smiling that silly little smile and I am giddy and supercharged and life is good because I am doing something I truly love to do, and the pay ain't bad either. Get you some.

....JP

Scadsobees · March 04, 2008, 09:32:29 AM

That is a cool hive! And it should be easy, right? Just pull the plywood off and viola (wa-la!) you have it all right there!! :-D

What I was wondering about, however, is the sink. How does the water stay in it? Or were you laying down when you took the picture? :roll:

Rick

Jerrymac · March 04, 2008, 10:33:06 AM

The sink is sitting on end on a cabinet or something. The people probably haven't lived in the house since Katrina.

JP · March 04, 2008, 10:52:40 AM

Quote from: Jerrymac on March 04, 2008, 10:33:06 AM
The sink is sitting on end on a cabinet or something. The people probably haven't lived in the house since Katrina.

That is correct Jerry. Can you believe I didn't even notice the sink until Rick pointed it out. I have things in my own house that I probably don't even know about. My focus was on the bees and the window, what sink? Heehee.

....JP

Scadsobees · March 04, 2008, 02:16:10 PM

I thought the sink looked funny there...it kinda messed with my perspective when I first saw the faucet :-D

Doesn't detract from the cool observation hive, though.

Kathyp · March 04, 2008, 02:23:28 PM

i didn't see the sink either. no wonder i can never find Waldo.

some of us pay big bucks for an observation hive. others? just put up plywood :-P pretty cool.

JP · March 04, 2008, 09:11:46 PM

Quote from: kathyp on March 04, 2008, 02:23:28 PM
i didn't see the sink either. no wonder i can never find Waldo.

some of us pay big bucks for an observation hive. others? just put up plywood :-P pretty cool.

Ok, recipe for observation hive: put plywood over window frame, leave small gap under window. Spray a little lemongrass oil on interior wall of plywood. Pull up chair and have table next to you for milk and cookies. Do this right before swarming season.

....JP

kensfarm · March 04, 2008, 10:06:29 PM

Do you know if the window is faciing N,S,E,W?

Scadsobees · March 04, 2008, 10:21:53 PM

Quote from: kensfarm on March 04, 2008, 10:06:29 PM
Do you know if the window is faciing N,S,E,W?

Not all at the same time, I'm sure...

:)

JP · March 04, 2008, 11:00:22 PM

Quote from: kensfarm on March 04, 2008, 10:06:29 PM
Do you know if the window is faciing N,S,E,W?

Yes, it is facing south.

....JP

annette · March 05, 2008, 12:15:00 AM

JP,

You should get paid for doing this work. It is honest hardwork and takes a professional. do not think twice about getting paid.

Annette

JP · March 05, 2008, 12:35:05 AM

Quote from: annette on March 05, 2008, 12:15:00 AM
JP,

You should get paid for doing this work. It is honest hardwork and takes a professional. do not think twice about getting paid.

Annette

Appreciate that Annette, its just that you never know when someone decides to take matters into their own hands. This hive is one that can be easily accessed. Yes, it will take some time to remove and transfer them into a hive, but I'd rather do this particular one for free if it means that otherwise they would just spray it or something. That would be a real travesty.

....JP

JP · March 06, 2008, 10:32:11 PM

Well, I spoke with the guy that has this hive today and they are living paycheck to paycheck. Called my friend Bailey and he is willing to remove this colony and I will be his assistant. We will have fun, take lots of pics and be helping out someone who is struggling a bit. Yes, this will be a good one and the bees get a new home with Bailey. We have it set up two Saturdays from this coming Saturday. Will keep ya'll informed.

....JP

iddee · February 11, 2009, 02:26:33 PM

Don't you think it is about time for an update???