How do I get them out ?

[Wombat2]

Collected a 5 week old swarm in a bird nesting box. The lid is hinged but the bees have glued it down and the comb is probably attached.

Any ideas on transferring to a hive?[attachment=0][/attachment]

[Anybrew2]

Maybe undo the Hinges and lift it out real careful and rubber band the comb to some frames.....maybe

[SlickMick]

Had a similar one a few years ago. Dismantled the box.. made it easy.

Mick

[HillBilly2]

If I had to do that one I think I would screw the top to a 2x4 they lay it across two sawhorses to give you a little stability. Then gently go around with a screwdriver and hive tool to get the sides off. Looks like the cutouts should fit a frame fairly closely at least. Good Luck!

[GSF]

I would almost bet that the comb is attached to all the walls and the roof as well.

[little john]

I would almost bet that the comb is attached to all the walls and the roof as well.

That's my bet too ...

If it were me - then I'd accept that it's going to be a messy procedure, right from the start.

I would wait until evening, so that after the considerable disturbance there would be less time for that colony to consider absconding, and less time for other bees to get excited about the nectar spill. Then I'd dress up like a medieval knight and smoke those bees like there was no tomorrow.

I'd remove the top (assuming it's designed to be hinged back) after running a cheese wire or bread-knife underneath it. More smoke. Then I'd cut away the combs at their sides and extract them. Depending on how well they can be removed and what shape they're in (they might be well curved rather than flat), I'd either just prop them against the sides of an empty box beneath a 'working box' with foundation or preferably drawn comb, so that the colony can clear them - or - if the combs are flat enough, then trap them between two pieces of wire-netting attached to a frame top-bar, or whatever other method of securing cut-out comb you favour.

I'd be inclined to seal the entrance to the new hive, once all the bees have decided to enter (which might take an hour or two) for a few days to prevent any temptation to abscond, assuming that ventilation and feed are provided.   

Best of luck,
LJ

[BeeMaster2]

I have done 2 removals like this. One in a squirrel box but the front of the hive was hinged. Another one was a truck tool box (weighed in excess of 300 pounds, mostly honey weight, hinged on top. The first I just opened the front and started cutting. The truck box, I cut the plastic in the front with a circular saw and that did not help so I had to pull the top off. All of the comb was attached to the top. Very messy but with a full flow on I was able to do the removal in my apiary with no protection and only crush stings, very few.
On this one, I recommend you carefully lay it down on a flat surface and pry off the right side and then do the cut out. Use smoke but I would not over do it. A little helps, a lot causes more problems with the bees fixing the comb in the new hive. They have to remove all of the smoke tar from the hive.
Wear protection, you never know how they will react.
Good luck. Let us know how it works out.
Jim

[little john]

... pry off the right side and then do the cut out.

Pry it off ?  You must have better eyes than I have ...

What are those four beige things on the front - are they some kind of removable fixing then ? Perhaps the ends of dowel rods ?  Jeez - I need new glasses.

LJ

[Wombat2]

Pry it off ?  You must have better eyes than I have ...

What are those four beige things on the front - are they some kind of removable fixing then ? Perhaps the ends of dowel rods ?  Jeez - I need new glasses.

LJ

They are bees in the air - the photo was take during orientation fight time and there was a sphere nearly 2 meters in diameter of bees orientating - guess they are breeding well

[Acebird]

Collected a 5 week old swarm in a bird nesting box. The lid is hinged but the bees have glued it down and the comb is probably attached.

Any ideas on transferring to a hive?[attachment=0][/attachment]

Gee all self contained like that I think I would go for a trap out to a lang box.

[cao]

It looks like there is a screw on the side near the top.  If there is I would try to unscrew the side, slip a knife behind it to make sure the comb is detached and then remove it.  Then do a cutout from there. 

[Wombat2]

It looks like there is a screw on the side near the top.  If there is I would try to unscrew the side, slip a knife behind it to make sure the comb is detached and then remove it.  Then do a cutout from there.

Sharp eyes there Tonto - this was the only time I had looked at it in daylight as I collected and placed it here in the dark - will take a closer look all over tomorrow - thanks for the heads up.

[cao]

Woodworking has been a hobby of mine since I was about 5 years old (40+years ago).  When I see something like that, my first thought is how was it made; second thought can I make it; third thought can I make it better; fourth thought do I want to make it; fifth thought do I have the time. 

[KeyLargoBees]

At least your box is nice and clean and painted...I am working with an Owl box and having to do a similar cutout on a 2 year old colony and the box is riddled with rot and soft spots.....cracked seams when we moved it so I have bees leaking out of it and am interested to see if I can get it apart in any semblance of order or if the whole box self destructs as soon as I try and start pulling screwsMine is set up so the front has to come off and not the sides...and with that sloped room that is going to be difficult....we shall see in a week or two once we start to get a flow.

Wish me luck...and good luck to you!!

[Kathyp]

if you can get the bottom off first, you can take something like a long bread knife and make sure the sides are not stuck (they are) and then remove the top and hopefully lift the entire thing out.  I like the idea of putting it across a couple of boards after you free it.  That will make removing the comb much easier. 

If you can detach comb from the sides, then remove the sides, that might work well also.

While you are figuring it out, make sure you have a swarm box at hand in case they go before you get at it.   

[Blacksheep]

Could you not just put that bird box in a 5 frame Nuc box and a couple of  frames with sugar water sprayed on them and let them migrate out of the box as they will be looking for more room?And you wouldn't kill the bees!

[BeeMaster2]

Blacksheep,
That box will not fit in a nuc and if it did you would not have room for frames. If you put it in a deep with frames, by the time they built into the hive box you would have a real mess of cross built comb. This box can be safely cut out with out much trouble.
Jim

[Blacksheep]

Thanks for the reply!I wish you lots of luck with the bees!!

[Wombat2]

OK - here is the plan of attack for Monday (weather permitting) I'll set up a new deep super with a couple of frames of honey and some stickies with space in the middle.  Then create a ramp up to the entrance with a large sheet of ply and a bed sheet forming a funnel into the entrance. At dusk I will cut open the lid and shake the bees onto the sheet in front of the hive. Theory is ( and observed in practice by a club member) the bees will march up the ramp and into the hive. I  will then cut out the comb and mount in empty frames and insert into the middle of the new super.

The nesting box is too deep for a knife so will use a machete to get down the sides.

The person who used this method said it was amazing to see the bees simply march straight up the ramp and into the hive. after a while she noticed a small clump of bees left on the ramp and on examination it was the queen with attendants. She put down her hand and the queen walked onto her finger then she placed the queen on the entrance ledge and she walked straight into the hive. That is now one of her best hives - hope it is that easy for me.

I'll keep you posted.

[Acebird]

the bees will march up the ramp and into the hive.

You might have to give them a reason like putting brood in the box.