My first tree(log) cutout(removal)

[Budster]

I have enjoyed reading the sagas and trials of the newbies, as I am one myself. I think its most interesting when people keep you posted on a swarm removal or cut-out, from beginning to end. So, tomorrow, I will be doing my first log removal. I got a call from a local tree/mulch place that they had a bee hive in a tree needing removal. I went out and looked at the hive this morning on my way to work. What they do at this place, is bring in truckloads of logs/timber, and grind them up into mulch and composte. I went out today, and yes, they had a log, about 12 feet long and 18" in diameter. It looks as if the section where the hive is at is a fork. It also appears that the fork was ripped off of the tree somehow, as the comb is quite exposed. Not all of it, but a small section. This morning looked like rain (it eventually did) and there was quite a few bees swirling around at the hive. Not thousands, maybe 100 - 200. I wished I would have taken a box with me to place by the hive in case it swarmed overnight, as I had to get to work, it looked like rain (mad bee syndrom) and I plan on doing it tomorrow as the weather is supposed to be better. I plan on smoking the hive to settle things down a little. If need be, I also will have a sprayer of sugar water. My goal is to rubberband pieces of brood comb to empty frames, and transfer into a special swarm/traveler/retreival box I built. (It is a wooden box with a lid that is hinged with latches and opens and closes and accepts 10 frames).I will use a brush when I see fit, and I am really hoping to transfer the queen to the travel box and make things easy. I will also be prepared to wait around for any foragers who havent returned. {This is where its going to get interesting} I have been unable to find someone to mentor me, and have read books, websites and have monitored this website thouroughly. So, tomorrow, this will be my first oppertunity to do a cutout removal from a broken up log. I am so unsure of how angry the bees will be. The guy who called me to remove them said they have been in the broken up log for two days already. I suspect, they are going to be "fit to be tied" come tomorrow morning! I just hope they are still there tomorrow, and have not swarmed. I'm going to guess that they have brood, and will not leave. Is this correct? I am anxious but concearned. It appears to be a smaller hive, but wouldn't be suprised if I am wrong. I usually am about most thing. Maybe I can post pictures later. If I had to guess, I'd say that this might be about the best scenario I could ask for on a removal from a log. I'll try to post as many pictures as possible, but I'm also guessing I'll have my hands full. Heres my list of things I am taking with me tomorrow: 1 large bag rubber bands, 1 chainsaw with gas and bar oil, my armour, My "travel/swarm removal box" which does allow for ventilation on the ride home, 1 spray bottle of sugar water, 1 bottle of lemmongrass oil, 10 frames(grooved for easy removal) with pierco foundation, 2 empty frames, smoker, hive tool, hammer and chisel, 1 hand saw, 1 bucket for little pieces of comb that I cant rubberband (honey to be fed back later), 1 smoker, boatload of cedar chips, 1 bee brush, twine, razor blades. Anything I forgot???

[power napper]

Bucket of water to wash your hands and tools. Do you have a swarm capture box, spare hive or bucket to have the bees move into? Sounds like you will have a good day for sure. Let us know how it all works out.

[Dee]

to start with, ive never done a removal from a tree - only buildings.

i like to take a bucket of water to wash off the honey, things get sticky!
a sharp knife to cut the comb into the proper frame size
i would take more then 2 empty frames, they fill up fast.

why are you taking frames with foundation?
and i gotta ask...what do you do with the cedar chips??

[King bee apiary]

It might be easier to cut the log just above and below the comb and take it all home.Either way I would not expect them to leave right away,nor would I expect them to be any hotter than normal.Just take your time and everything should work out just fine.You might want to find yourself a helper.
Good luck

[iddee]

>>>>You might want to find yourself a helper.<<<<

AMEN to that!!!

[Budster]

Cedar chips are for the smoker. I will have a total of 10 frames with me. 2 empties and 8 with Pierco, which is easily removed to creat more empty frames. I was considering the possibility of cutting out the section of the log and bringing it home. Not sure yet. I'll just have to wait and see where it goes...

[ June 24, 2006, 04:23 AM: Message edited by: budster ]

[Ross]

They may actually be demoralized and easy to work. It depends on how much of the original hive is still intact. I worked a similar tree that split right down the road. I couldn't get the queen so most of the bees kept going back to the tree. I finally moved the log to my yard. A year later I finally opened it up and found the queen. These are the best bees I have.

[Budster]

Well, I showed up ready to do a cutout of a log, but it turns out the bees swarmed underneath a log. I have included pics to show the removal. A pretty basic easy removal... Pic #1 is the log they were in the day before...
http://www.monstersearch.org/1.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/2.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/3.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/4.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/5.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/6.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/7.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/8.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/9.JPG
http://www.monstersearch.org/10.JPG

[ June 25, 2006, 06:39 AM: Message edited by: budster ]

[onelove]

just curious bud, did you go to the trouble of cutting the comb out from their prior nest? If so, what did you find in that comb? bees? queen cells? how big was the chamber? thanks for sharing the pics

[iddee]

Hey, budster, maybe you could help me with this one.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/TRAP%20OUTS/BEESat1594.jpg

It's under the flashing on the corner of a 4-story motel. :eek: :D

[scsasdsa]

That Motel has a flat roof probably a rubber membrane possible with ballast if the bees have built comb in there it will be a major repair unless you know a roofer who will do the patch for you. not a project for the average do it your selfer. unless you can set up a trap and cone. good luck.

[Budster]

I got a call earlier this year for something similar iddee, except mine was 3 stories up. I bailed on that job. As for scsasdsa's question, I looked through the comb, but it appeared to be melted, and what wasn't was very soft due to the sunlight beating down on it. Most of the honey was already robbed, with some bees, including a couple of bumbles, still robbing. I did find small amounts of brood, an empty queen cell on the comb, and an unopened queen cell in the knot hole area attached standalone, away from the comb.

[ June 25, 2006, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: budster ]

[iddee]

Stuart, My first rule is...I don't do repairs...
Although you are right about the roof, this one has a kneewall and I think the bees are in the kneewall. I think I can just remove the flashing from the top of the wall and take the plywood cover off and pick the whole colony up with the plywood. The rubber shouldn't have to be touched.

And, Yes, I will be working from the roof. No scaffold with this one.