First time attempting to cutout a coloney!!!

[Dimmsdale]

Well I threw my name up on a swarm removal list...pretty much as an afterthought...didn't really think I would see much action.  About 2 weeks later, got my first call!  Woman has some honey bees in her woodshed on her vacation property.  Going out to do a little recon this weekend.  Never done this before so I'm a little nervous but also extreamly excited.  Anyone have any major pointers or warnings for things to look out for??  Being my first time, I'm not sure what I'm getting into.  Sometimes that is a blessing.  I'm going to be hanging out with JP and Schawee on youtube this weekend looking for pointers! LOL  If it looks like I'm in over my head, I might see if someone in my beeclub can mentor me.  As always, any advise would be appriciated!

[CVBees]

Congrats Dimmsdale,

It took over a year for my first call and it was for bee-flies.  My biggest pointer is to be prepared.  I learned after my first cutout to put my rubber bands on frames before I start cutting out comb.  It is hard to hold in place and put on the bands at the same time.  I also cut a small wooden ruler for the inside of my frame that I held up to that "natural" comb so it would all fit inside each time I went to place it.  a long narrow bladed knife is a huge help.  I saw narrow so you can bend it to fit against the flat surface you are cutting on and minimize damage to comb/brood. 

My next project (after a solar wax melter in case my wife is reading this) is a bee vac it is a challenge to perform the cutout with pounds of bees walking/flying around but it is doable without.  The JP/Schawee video's were my go by's but experience is the best teacher.  I will video my next I have to join the club!  Good luck

[jmblakeney]

I also cut a small wooden ruler for the inside of my frame that I held up to that "natural" comb so it would all fit inside each time I went to place it. 

Nice pointer...
James

[JP]

Good luck! So, they're in the wall of a shed?


...JP

[lenape13]

Don'tcut any wires....

Take plenty of clean towels and water to wash and clean  you and your tools.

Have fun!

[Dimmsdale]

CV,

Boy if you didn't call it??  Not sure exactly what I was dealing with here, but they sure weren't honeybees!  Went out to the property and the guy pointed me to shed full of stacked wood.  There were lots of dark looking "bees" flying in, but I was instantly suspicious as they were entering in all different areas and kind of hovering around in front of the wood instead of returning with purpose as you normally see honey bees do.  I then noticed a lot of them entering little holes in the stacked wood.  As I watched they would be lighting on different pieces of wood and entering these holes.  They were darker colored with some yellow striping on their abdomens.  They were covered with fuzz which was yellow on their underside.  I started getting real suspicious at this point so I started grabbing a couple of them out of the air and they didn't/couldn't sting me.  I didn't see any sign of a stinger on them.  I started banging and moving the wood around trying to get some sort of reaction out of them and they just kept doing their business like I wasn't even there. I tried to take a couple pics with my phone but they came out pretty blurry. (Can we not post pics here anymore??)  What do you guys think these are?  Some sort of fly mimic???