Problems with trap-out

czman11 · May 09, 2012, 01:51:28 PM

Hi everyone. I just did my first trap-out from a tree. I did not have any brood to offer so I offered the bees new queen. After I sealed all I could see that would allow bees to go back to the tree they started exploring the box and everything looked okay. The next day I found out that they found a tiny hole to get back in the tree so I sealed it and sealed other possible ways they could get back inside. However, they managed to find another small crack in one of the tree branches about 4 feet away from the hive so I plugged that one also. Every time I restricted them to go back, they started to move in to my box and I could see some of the bees fanning out, what I suspect, the feramont that I hope tells me that the queen inside is alive. This queen had been caged on the 3rd and I am afraid that she may not be alive. Can anyone of you let me know hoe long a queen can be caged? Also, can you give me feedback on the fanning activity I saw previously? I would hate to get them out of the tree and set them up with the failure.

AllenF · May 09, 2012, 02:41:56 PM

How long has the queen been caged? She needs attendants to feed and take care of her. I bet she might be toast.

czman11 · May 09, 2012, 02:50:34 PM

She has been caged on the 3rd of this month. She had about 5 nurse bees with her. I received her on the 5th and set the trap the same day. I sprayed small amount of sugar water inside the cage but made sure I did not get any bees inside wet. There was a pretty good size sugar plug so I hope they had enough to eat. I hate to open the box now to take a look since I don't really want to disturb them from moving in. Anyway, as of today, she had been in the cage 6 days.

iddee · May 09, 2012, 05:01:15 PM

Open the box. It won't hurt anything. You need to know her condition. You may get there in time to feed her. Take a marshmallow with you.

G3farms · May 09, 2012, 06:49:25 PM

Looking will not hurt anything. What you need to know is how to proceed and with out knowing the condition of the queen you can not. Will not take but a minute.

czman11 · May 09, 2012, 08:13:43 PM

Well, I took the liberty to go ahead and take a look. The cage was covered with bees and she looked well. She was definitely getting a lot of attention. I hope she will gain the scent of the old hive since she is completely covered and by the time they get her out she will be accepted.

G3farms · May 11, 2012, 09:45:54 AM

Just got to thinking (makes my head hurt so I try to avoid it), but just a quick question............did you pull the cork out of the candy end of the queen cage?

czman11 · May 11, 2012, 10:47:24 AM

:-D That would be crazy but yes the cork was removed and there was actually one bee inside the hole eating the candy. I forgot to remove the cork once and that was the very first time I got package of bees. The poor girls were trapped inside and I had to rescue them out.