Feral Hive

[KONASDAD]

As some of you are aware, i have yet to get a call for a swarm or removal, now going on three years. I just got one, but it is very far, about an hour from home. I spoke to home owner, turns out he went to HS w/ brother so I will go anyways. I went to scout at lunch. I took pics and will post tomorrow hopefully. I will return tomorrow to hive them for club purposes. We hope to establish a queen and nuc breeding program for club members using survivor bees. These would qualify. Here is what i found...

.... A branch fell about 40 ft. At one end is the original opening, about a fist size big. The hive runs about five feet long inside the tree, which is about 10 inches diameter. The problem is, the tee also split vertically, exposing the entire lenght of hive. It would be like cutting a paper towel roll along its lenght, but stop one inch from end leaving ring where original entrance was. As such about 60% of comb is exposed along lenght of log and its still cold. Bees were clustered in two very small areas, exposing capped brood, honey and lots of dead brood on edges. The bees were very hot and attacked me when I got w/in ten ft. I took a cloth towel and wrapped it around the area w/ the most bees. I then did same thing w/ plastic bag around towel and up rest of lenght to cover them, but they still have accesss from original entrance and bottom where it broke from trunk . As soon as I gave them some cover, they immediately vcalmed down and I was able to wrap them pretty good for nite. I will return tomorow afternoon. I have two choices. I can screen, cut excess log and plaxce in car, or just cut out comb and install into deep w/ rubberbands. I am inclined to do removal where she sits. If queen is alive, she should be easy to get as there is nowhere for her to go. If i start at one end, and a friend starts at the other, there appear to be no place to run, except a deathh march onto the ground which is remarkably clear of debris.

any suggestions...

[Kathyp]

won't comment on your plan.  leave that to someone with more experience.  congrats on the call.  take pics and keep us posted!!  it should be fun :-)

[Jerrymac]

What are your temperatures these days... and nights? I would be tempted to take the whole thing home, prop it up on end, and place a hive body with frames on top of the log. Rig it all so the bees have to go through the hive body to get in and out.

[KONASDAD]

What are your temperatures these days... and nights? I would be tempted to take the whole thing home, prop it up on end, and place a hive body with frames on top of the log. Rig it all so the bees have to go through the hive body to get in and out.

Temps in upper thorties at nite. Also, entire lenght of hive is exposed from "six 'oclock, to 12 O'clock" if you can imagine  from side view. Log split length-wise except for last few inches where there is a round hole, original entrance.

[Understudy]

The bees are very likely to abscond from the tree branch very quickly.

I would do the cut out there. However this is not likely to be a survivor hive. You may have to combine it.

Keep us informed.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[CBEE]

I'm curious as to what the indications are that this would not be a survivor hive ?

[Understudy]

I'm curious as to what the indications are that this would not be a survivor hive ?

The indicated age of the hive. Feral hives that have survived in the wild for a few years show that they are able to withstand issues.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[KONASDAD]

Well the job got done. I regret not doing it tuesday. I dont know if queen is alive. The beees were so demoralized by wendesday, it was cold and very windy. When I opened them up from my wrapping the didn't bother to do anything. We cut the comb and rubberbanded them in frames, along w/ some stores, surrounded them by drawn frames of foundation to assist w/ temp control. There were maybe 2-3 cups of bees clinging to some capped brood. I'll download pics later and post. The whole purpose was to get their genes, so I really want the queen. My other hives are ready to explode for spring so I have plenty of boards i can give them if only the queen survived. I will leave them alone today and see what they look like tomorow. If it looks like they have a queen I'll take one board from three diff hives and give her a boost. Some warm syrup, the works.  If no queen, I dont think drones are around just yet so I'll combine for what its worth.

[Cindi]

Konasdad, that is wonderful to hear.  Now time will tell the tale.  Good that you accomplished this thing, yeah!!!  Have a beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi

[CBEE]

AAAHHHHaaa,, the age of the hive.. I see that makes sense