How would you go about THIS!!

LocustHoney · May 22, 2007, 10:42:41 PM

Give me some advice on how you would proceed to take this.....

Two weeks old hive.....

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/LocustHoney/100_3514.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/LocustHoney/100_3513.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/LocustHoney/100_3512.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/LocustHoney/100_3511.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183/LocustHoney/100_3510.jpg

I want to take it tomorrow, so let me have it. Thanks!!! :-D

Jerrymac · May 22, 2007, 10:47:01 PM

If it is still there tomorrow just cut the stalk right under the bees. Have a hive body with frames open and waiting. After cutting the plant right under the bees, hold it over the hive body a few inches and thump it on the top of the frames. All the bees should fall into the hive along with the queen.

Get there early

pdmattox · May 22, 2007, 10:55:47 PM

Okay here is my go at it. Take a hive body and put a queen excluder in between the bottom board and hive body and secure it(hive stapeles,etc). Then one frame of open brood goes in the box. Take the box out there and clip the plant below the bees and place carefully in box next to frame of brood and shake all the bees off. Replace the rest of the frames and put on lid.

Jerrymac · May 22, 2007, 11:04:54 PM

Quote from: pdmattox on May 22, 2007, 10:55:47 PM
Okay here is my go at it. Take a hive body and put a queen excluder in between the bottom board and hive body and secure it(hive stapeles,etc). Then one frame of open brood goes in the box. Take the box out there and clip the plant below the bees and place carefully in box next to frame of brood and shake all the bees off. Replace the rest of the frames and put on lid.

I will go with all of that except the shaking. I think one quick thump will knock them off where as shaking will cause them to cling tighter.

Understudy · May 23, 2007, 02:02:39 AM

Take a string against the branch at the low end of the swarm.
Put a hive body w/ excluder directly under swarm.
Pull string ends up causing bees to loose grip on branch and fall into hive.
Place cover on hive.
Give bees a few moments to acclumate to new home.
Seal entrances.
Move hive to your desired location.
Have the lawyers work out lease agreement with bees for honey as rent payment.
Turn into nasty slum lord.......w/ lots of honey.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

LocustHoney · May 23, 2007, 05:54:35 AM

Sounds like a plan guys!!! Thanks sooo much. I want to make sure that you guys seen the comb they had built. Will this make them more agressive than if they had just swarmed days ago or will it not matter??? Would you smoke the bees or spray some sugar water on them or not worry about?????

Mici · May 23, 2007, 06:13:56 AM

i think they'll be more agressive yeah, because they're not in the swarm mood anymore, now, they're a hive, so basicly you're gonna have to do an open cut out :)
but i only think so!oh, spray 'em 'n smoke 'em!

MikeG · May 23, 2007, 07:45:25 AM

It's important to realize, though, that they are on thistle - not locust. :) (you don't want to embarrass yourself during your negotiations)

LocustHoney · May 23, 2007, 09:53:03 AM

It has started to rain a little bit. Will this hinder my advance to overtake them???

Jerrymac · May 23, 2007, 09:59:38 AM

Opps!!

I didn't notice the comb. I thought it was just a swarm. Cut the plant as mentioned. Hold over a hive body and brush/shake bees loose. If it is at all possible carefully cut any brood comb loose and tie into frames.

OR

Cut it loose and place in an empty hive body on a solid board. Place another hive body above that with frames of foundation. Use a top entrance. Perhaps the bees will abandon the old and start working on the foundation. After the brood has had time to hatch out remove it.