Southern Maine cutout/removal

[hummingberd]

So, independence day I did a swarm removal. And I went back today (sat) to collect the stragglers. Seems pretty clear that the remaining bees are going in and out of a few spaces in the eave of the house, and are not hanging in a desperate clump! I kinda knew yesterday that they had set up shop in the house, but the owner was in denial! I saw bees moving in and out, and knew that generally bees don't go far from their "parent colony."

So, I am not equipped to do a cut out, and I need help. Is anybody interested? This colony is located in Biddeford Pool. The people are really nice. They have not been sprayed. The area is easily accessible, I know because I was up there yesterday!

If anyone has any suggestions that they can provide, I would really appreciate it. I need to facilitate removal of this colony ASAP! Thanks for all replies! :)

[jeff123fish]

if you can hurry up and get somebody in there the colony is prob at a minimum number of bees(between the swarm and no queen ((just capped?)). Seems like a good time to get in there.

[hummingberd]

Sorry. Maybe I wasn't clear. I believe there is a parent colony inside the the eaves of this house, and that is where the swarm (which I collected yesterday) came from. The homeowner remembers seeing bees buzzing about last fall, so they probably over-wintered in the house, and threw off a swarm...

Now I'm trying to help these people find someone to do the extraction. :)

[bigbore]

you are probably right, it is likely it is the parent. but as jeff said the # should be minimal. right after a swarm the most of them are nurse bees. I would love to help, but am too far away for anything but moral support. are you part of a bee club? is there one any where close to you? if you are in a club have you spoke to the head of it? I did one this year I wasn't realy ready for, but I succeeded, and got a nice little colony out of it.

[hummingberd]

thanks bigbore, I was able to find someone with plenty of experience to help with the cutout. He's an architect / beekeeper, which is great. I actually picked up a second swarm the next day, so this place is a beekeeping hot spot! :)