Big storm, Bee tree down

harvey · August 26, 2010, 10:32:48 PM

After a big storm here, not sure if it was a tornado or not but hundreds of trees down. When I was out scouting for fire wood found a big maple that was a bee tree. I think this is one of the trees i was catching swarms off of this spring. Definately ferrel bees! Much comb even built outside of the tree! I don't think i can do a cut out on this log. Big tree and it didn't split near the hive. Hive is still intact but on the ground. Wondering if it is to late in the year to try a swarm trap? I can put six drawn frames in it to help them out. What do I have to loose? I figure the bees will swarm as the critters will disrupt them on the ground. Never saw so much comb built on the outside of the tree. All the comb outside is empty? Not sure how big of a hollow is in the tree? Wish me luck on the swarm trap. Tried a cutout on a different bee tree that crashed down and split and It didn't work. I didn't get enough comb to convince the bees to stay and as there tree split wide open they swarmed. I am hoping I can convince this one to swarm and take up in one of my bait hives! What do yall think my chances are? Probably several bee trees down around here right now. I didn't realized there were so many way back in the woods.

AllenF · August 26, 2010, 10:41:20 PM

Did you get some pics? I would not do a trap out this time of the year. Wait until spring.

hankdog1 · August 26, 2010, 10:59:09 PM

My opinion is you can only do a cutout at this point and feed like crazy to help them through the winter. Trapouts aren't going to do anything for you unless you want to boost numbers in another hive this late in the year. Just curious but is it the genetics that your looking for out of this hive? If so a trapout is not an option as you will read from Iddee's posts there is a very very very (by very i mean you have to be there if she comes out) small chance.

harvey · August 27, 2010, 12:15:42 AM

I figure that if the hive is on the ground, which it is the bees will swarm to find a better home? In this case if i can get one of my bait hives set up maybe they will swarm into it? I will put six drawn deep frames in it. It is a ten frame box. And just maybe they will vacate the tree as it is laying on the ground. If they stay there the critters are going to get them. I don't believe they will make it through the winter on the ground.

iddee · August 27, 2010, 09:36:08 AM

This one overwintered fine and we did the cutout in the spring. It, and 3 or 4 splits from it, are some of the best bees we have.

harvey · August 27, 2010, 10:29:37 AM

Idee I could try that! Wouldn't be to hard cept the weight. Not sure though as I live in Northern Michigan and we get a couple months that will be zero or below.

iddee · August 27, 2010, 10:42:03 AM

I would cut the top down to the hollow area and cap it with an insulated cover. That would give the ability to feed if you wanted to.
Also, in the fall, reduce the entrance to a minimum.

HomeBru · August 27, 2010, 12:34:01 PM

I'm with Iddee. Is the tree on your property? Talk with the property owner about righting the feral hive where it is and then do a trapout next spring. At worst, you'll need a comealong and some straps or some strapping young men...

J-

Sparky · August 27, 2010, 10:29:30 PM

Quote from: harvey on August 27, 2010, 10:29:37 AM
Idee I could try that! Wouldn't be to hard cept the weight. Not sure though as I live in Northern Michigan and we get a couple months that will be zero or below.

Harvey if they have stores and you could do open feeding if you think it is needed, as iddee has done with reduced to a small opening they should be fine.