Honeybee removal from a wall

Gware · December 08, 2008, 07:52:13 PM

Could someone tell me how to cut a hive out of a wall. How you go about putting it in frames etc. Should one wait till warm weather or can it be done in the winter on a mild day?

deantn · December 08, 2008, 08:09:05 PM

My suggestion is find a "mentor".
It can't be done safely in the winter time unless you are working in the house that is heated. But I would wait until late spring to do it.
Trying to explain how to do it would take a while typing for me, slow typer, but if you search on here for that subjedct you should come up with enough posts about it to tell you how and where to get started.
GOOD LUCK

JP · December 08, 2008, 09:08:04 PM

Quote from: Gware on December 08, 2008, 07:52:13 PM
Could someone tell me how to cut a hive out of a wall. How you go about putting it in frames etc. Should one wait till warm weather or can it be done in the winter on a mild day?

The first thing you need to know is the exact location of the colony, are you certain its in a wall? What's the exterior made of/interior? If you can post some pics this would be helpful. Wait to spring to relocate this hive with someone who can assist you or better yet, you assist them because you have no experience removing bees.

Gives us some more information and we can give you more feedback.

...JP

Kathyp · December 08, 2008, 10:06:04 PM

also, go read the honeybee removal section of this site. there are lots of ideas, equipment lists, pictures, etc. i have turned down 3 removals in the last month. this is not the time to do it and save the hive....at least not where the winters are cold. maybe JP can get away with it :-)

JP · December 09, 2008, 12:27:06 AM

Quote from: kathyp on December 08, 2008, 10:06:04 PM
also, go read the honeybee removal section of this site. there are lots of ideas, equipment lists, pictures, etc. i have turned down 3 removals in the last month. this is not the time to do it and save the hive....at least not where the winters are cold. maybe JP can get away with it :-)

Kathy, I haven't looked at the weather but according to my sis n' law, we may get some snow flurries on Wed, sick huh?

I'm sure Brendhan is still doing removals, its been about 2 weeks since I did one, they are doing fine though.

...JP

Kathyp · December 09, 2008, 01:10:25 AM

didn't know you ever got snow!!! what will you do? :shock:

we are in for snow this weekend also.

where the heck is brendhan?? he hasn't been around much.

JP · December 09, 2008, 01:20:24 AM

Quote from: kathyp on December 09, 2008, 01:10:25 AM
didn't know you ever got snow!!! what will you do? :shock:

we are in for snow this weekend also.

where the heck is brendhan?? he hasn't been around much.

I spoke with him about a week ago, he's doing his thing with the cut-outs and being president of West Palm Beach beekeepers and his reg job.

...JP

Cindi · December 09, 2008, 10:56:57 AM

Brendhan has also been busy building that funky hive!!! I'll find his post for you, unless you remember seeing it, then don't bother to look at this post. Have a great and wonderful day, life, health. Cindi

OK, found his post. Have you seen this yet, he is busy, smiling

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,18699.msg139491.html#msg139491

Kathyp · December 09, 2008, 11:43:57 AM

thanks cindi. i missed that.

sean · December 09, 2008, 01:48:42 PM

Quote from: JP on December 08, 2008, 09:08:04 PM
Quote from: Gware on December 08, 2008, 07:52:13 PM
Could someone tell me how to cut a hive out of a wall. How you go about putting it in frames etc. Should one wait till warm weather or can it be done in the winter on a mild day?

The first thing you need to know is the exact location of the colony, are you certain its in a wall? What's the exterior made of/interior? If you can post some pics this would be helpful. Wait to spring to relocate this hive with someone who can assist you or better yet, you assist them because you have no experience removing bees.

Gives us some more information and we can give you more feedback.

...JP

I agree. I had to do a removal and the entrance the bees were using was nowhere near the hive. Give us some more info and i am sure we will be able to help you albeit from a distance

dhood · December 09, 2008, 08:32:22 PM

If you do the removal now the bees will not survive. Wait until this spring, you will have had enough time to read up on it, and things will go much smoother. There is alot of info on here about removals, but here are a few tips I learned doing my first one. Wear gloves, Put down a drop cloth if you will be doing the removal from inside, it will be a messy job. If you plan on using a beevac, be carefull, to much suction, or sucking honey with the bees will kill alot of them.
If you can get someone to work with you to help put the brood in the frames as you take them out it goes alot better.
Have fun, if your doing this one for free, it will probally be the last time. :-D

Daniel,

Cindi · December 09, 2008, 09:36:20 PM

Kathy, oooh, you got snow coming, buckle up your boots. Cindi

Kathyp · December 09, 2008, 09:38:12 PM

gotta find my fuzzy LJs! we had lots of rain last winter, but the temps were mild except for one short period. this is an east wind year and it will be cold! i see ice storms in our future. how about you. no snow??