BEES IN A BARREL

[Debbie]

HI I'M NEW TO THIS FORUM. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME WITH THIS... LAST YEAR (AUGUST) I RECEIVED A CALL FOR A SWARM.THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE IN A BARREL. SINCE IT WAS LATE IN THE YEAR I LEFT THEM TO OVER WINTER AND IF THEY MADE IT I WOULD TAKE CARE OF THEM THIS SPRING. WELL, UNLIKE MY PACKAGED BEES, THEY DID MAKE IT. ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO GET THEM INTO A HIVE? ITS A LARGE COLONY. I HAVE A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL WITH A HIVE UNDER THEM BUT THEY HAVEN'T GOOTEN THE HINT.

[oregonsparkie]

What I suggest is to remove all the comb from the barrel and shake the bees on the comb into the hive. As long as you get the queen into the hive then the rest of the bees will follow. Once they are all in the hive then you can block the entrance at night and move the hive anywhere you want. I seperate the honey from the brood so I can extract the honey.

Alot of people will take empty frames and rubber band the brood to the frame then stick the frame into the hive.

[Hill's Hivery]

The method described by oregonsparkie, is what I did when I removed a swarm that had taken residence in a squirel box last year. I used cotton string and tied the comb into frames though instead of using rubber bands. The hive is still going strong.

[Drifter]

I found they don't go down into a hive well . If you have time and access to them try turnning the barrel over and place the hive on top . That way the queen can't lay in the old comb and they should migrate up into hive body on their own .

Drifter

[SilverFox]

Oragonsparkie has the idea, but tie the brood comb in empty frames using either string or rubber bands (I find them easier when working w/gloves on as you can roll them into place). Put the brood comb in the middle of your box with either bare foundation or drawn comb on the outside (2-4 on either side). The honey is your call either put the comb in a shallow pan and feed it back to them or squish it thru an old pillow case or pair of nylons.Try to keep the pollen out of the honey (it makes for extremely rich honey). Good luck keep us informed.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.kohala.net/bees/capture/index.html

[SilverFox]

Forgot all about that site-Thank you Mike-got it bookmarked now.

[Debbie]

Thanks everyone! I was wondering if I should attempt removing the comb. Someone had told me to cover the hole in the barrel at night and it would force them to use the entrance in the hive below and maybe that would start they moving down.
I'm wiling to try anything,they're no good to me where they are now.