Removal of bees inside a tree?

[iddee]

If, If, IF.     If a bullfrog had wings............................

You will have queen cells.

Press the silicone tightly, otherwise it won't stick.

[dfizer]

Thanks iddee - but IF IF IF..... is what keeps one prepared.  Otherwise, it's complete ciaos. 

I too believe there will be queen cells - then I proceed with replacing the frame(s) with new frame with eggs.  Problem solved. 

David

[dfizer]

David,
NO PICTURES?  :(

Based on your description I think it sounds all good, with the possible exception of your Nuc placement.  You really want the landing board of that guy touching the base of your cone, or at least a clear path for them to crawl from the base of the cone to the Nuc.  As I heard someone say giving a talk on trapouts...."the bees aren't going to jump to the box".   :laugh:

It might work, I think proper placement just helps it along.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I was at the trap out site today to look for queen cells and right on queue, as iddee predicted, there were queen cells in the nuc.  I took this nuc down and put a replacement one up.  The frame I replaced it with had uncapped brood in the larvae state and capped brood.  I assume they will build queen cells out of the uncapped brood.  I hope I am correct since I didn't have access to any frames with only eggs. 

I have decided to take down the nuc and the supports and build a platform out of 2x4's and put a 10 frame deep box up there once it quits raining.  Perhaps I should start on an ark. 

Below please see the pics taken today after I patched the opening at the bottom that the bees had worked open.  This is a really good learning experience but I'm not sure I'd do this for free again.  btw - is there anyway of estimating how big the colony of bees are?  The nuc box was really full of bees......

[iddee]

Check again in about a week. It won't fill up as quick this time, but will fill. Now quit worrying and continue on, soldier!!

Congrats. You are doing fine.

[dfizer]

In a week to 10 days, the nuc probably won't hold all the bees. You need to get back in 4 to 7 days with another nuc.

Move 2 or 3 queen cells from the nuc to the new box and start another box.

I still don't understand why anyone uses a nuc to put 5 to 15 lbs. of bees in. Can someone please explain this to me? I notice most folks setting traps are doing this. I have never started a trap with a nuc.

One question - would you still go through the trouble to build a platform for a full size hive or, since I have hauled one nuc chocked full of bees out of there, just continue with nucs?  I am leaning toward running over tomorrow to slap up a 2x4 platform for the full size hive.  Thoughts?

[Moots]

In a week to 10 days, the nuc probably won't hold all the bees. You need to get back in 4 to 7 days with another nuc.

Move 2 or 3 queen cells from the nuc to the new box and start another box.

I still don't understand why anyone uses a nuc to put 5 to 15 lbs. of bees in. Can someone please explain this to me? I notice most folks setting traps are doing this. I have never started a trap with a nuc.

One question - would you still go through the trouble to build a platform for a full size hive or, since I have hauled one nuc chocked full of bees out of there, just continue with nucs?  I am leaning toward running over tomorrow to slap up a 2x4 platform for the full size hive.  Thoughts?

I think you're fine sticking with the Nuc strategy at this point...that initial dump in the first few days is the biggie!