Hive inspection with a twist

ShaneJ · November 01, 2011, 01:52:47 AM

Over the last few months I have been enjoying going through and watching all of JP's videos on youtube. On Sunday I watched the "Bud3-Annual Beemaster Gathering" series JP has up there - the last video being a trap-out demonstration by Iddee.

I felt inspired to open up my hive for the first time and check on the bees' progression. As you'll see in the video, they seem to be doing well.

The inspection took an interesting turn when the phone started ringing and my partner had to run back in to answer it - bizarrely enough it was our next door neighbour asking me to go over to their place, because he had found a lot of bees buzzing around outside!

They were quite amazed when I turned up at their front door not 20 seconds later in my full bee suit. Quite a coincidence we were ready to go, camera and all!

It turns out that there are two holes in my neighbour's eastern-facing brick wall, and there is a lot of bee activity around both holes as you can see in the video. My neighbour says they have been there for at least a week but I need to confirm this. If it has been a week I assume they already have a good nest in there. My neighbour wants the bees out, but doesn't want me to pull down his brick wall or his tiled internal wall either.

I have watched so many videos and it is a crazy coincidence that this happened when I had just finished watching some videos of you guys demonstrating trap-outs etc. However, I'm just new at this! I am unsure whether the trap-out method would work as inside the brick wall is probably completely open space each side of the entrance, and into the ceiling space. So all you seasoned bee people I am after your opinion. What should we do?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Hive inspection with a twist

qa33010 · November 01, 2011, 07:17:34 PM

Trap outs are also a good way to find if there are any other access points to the hive. If the brick is pretty well sealed up then you shouldn't have too much of an issue with other entrances. Good luck!!

ShaneJ · November 02, 2011, 03:34:57 AM

I have a lot to learn before I attempt a trap out. But I am looking forward to trying it.

JP · November 02, 2011, 07:07:49 AM

Shane, good luck with that one. I would certainly encourage a trap out on that one since its right next door. You can check it as often as you like.

...JP

Meadlover · November 02, 2011, 07:21:12 PM

Shane,

that looks like the perfect trapout site!
I would definitely go ahead with the trapout since it is just next door. You will learn HEAPS about how bees behave once you start doing trapouts.

ML

yockey5 · November 02, 2011, 07:41:54 PM

I will be watching this thread! Would love to do this one.

ShaneJ · November 02, 2011, 07:53:25 PM

I'm going to try and get all the bits together today.

I plan on using a full size box to enable me to use a SBB with trap to try and help the bees control SHB as much as possible. I am unsure weather to put oil in the trap right away as I am concerned the oil smell may put off the bees taking the box as a new home. Does anyone have any input on this?

Meadlover · November 02, 2011, 10:08:21 PM

If you use new clean vegetable oil it will be fine.

ShaneJ · November 02, 2011, 10:10:36 PM

Ok. I'll keep that in mind. At this point I am struggling to find the mesh required for the cone.

Meadlover · November 03, 2011, 02:18:30 AM

I wouldn't be too concerned with that mesh, more the mesh for the SHB screen.
I have used black flywire successfully several times.

ML

ShaneJ · November 03, 2011, 02:25:34 AM

I was going to try using stainless security mesh but I thought if I was going to have to buy mesh, I'll get what I can use on some future SBB's.

Country Heart · November 05, 2011, 03:55:27 AM

Looking forward to the trap out video! :)

ShaneJ · November 05, 2011, 11:02:36 PM

I hope you have seen my videos and progress in my other thread?

Quote from: Country Heart on November 05, 2011, 03:55:27 AM
Looking forward to the trap out video! :)

Country Heart · November 06, 2011, 11:35:53 PM

Quote from: ShaneJ on November 05, 2011, 11:02:36 PM
I hope you have seen my videos and progress in my other thread?

Quote from: Country Heart on November 05, 2011, 03:55:27 AM
Looking forward to the trap out video! :)

I did find it, thanks. :)

Bee Busters · January 18, 2012, 03:15:39 PM

looks like its been a few months since this was posted.
How did it turn out?

ShaneJ · January 18, 2012, 05:26:29 PM

It turned out good. Follow up videos are in another thread.

Bee Busters · January 19, 2012, 12:51:30 AM

love to see it. How can I find it?

ShaneJ · January 19, 2012, 06:23:12 AM

You can find it by clicking this link: http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,35218.0.html