Cutout...and swarm

[Scadsobees]

Recently a friend and I cut out a log hive for him.

I figured that they had to be close to swarming, but due to weather and such we were not able to start cutting out until later than I would have liked.  I also figured that if they were near swarming that the disruption would nix that affect.

Everything was cut out fine.  There was not any open brood, and yes there were queen cells.  Got everything banded into empty frames, and the extra bees put into the box.  There was perhaps 5 deep frames of scattered capped brood, and maybe 4 medium frames.  A small pail of extra/drone comb.

His young'un even got to help out some!


There were a lot of flying bees during the process, but because we had displaced the hive, and they were flying near the old hive location we didn't think anything of it.  We didn't find the queen, but in the mess of a cutout, I don't think that is all that unusual.

Turns out I was wrong about the swarm thing....  :'(


Looking at the remnants in the hive, I'd guess 3/4 of the bees left.  There was a huge swarm 40 ft up in the tree, far above what I could have gotten.  They ended up leaving.

The hive that was left...well, the queen has hatched and mated, and they are starting to recover.  They abandoned all of the brood in deep box, saving only a few frames worth in the medium.  They ended up being about 4 medium frames of bees.  Over all not worth the work, but it was a fun experience, even counting how frustrated I was staring up at that huge swarm... :-x

Rick

[Davepeg]

What makes that experience worth your time was having the little one there watching and helping you.  The more experience they get at such a young age, the better.  I think it's great that you had a little helper!

[G3farms]

Cutting out a bee tree is a real experience, just like the real old timers use to do it. I've got one coming up in about a week.

Glad you had the little helper along. Do you think it sparked any interest in being a future beek?? Lets hope so. At least he will have some great memories to share.

Looks like you did a great job and sorry you missed the swarm, oh well thats how it goes.

G3

[Scadsobees]

Yeah, Isaac (Ike) really seems to enjoy the bees.  My own two boys were around, but they know how boring these things get (5 minutes and they are done)...