Another Bee Tree Question. . .

[Mrs. Jack T.]

I've read all the Bee Tree removals I can find on the site and only have a couple questions left. . .

Situation: Huge ash tree in the middle of town. The bees just moved in last Tuesday (5/22/07). Got a call from the lady this week saying she is terrified of them and wants them gone! I've set it all up w/ a tree removal guy and we are going to meet in the morning. He is going to cut them limb they are in and I'm taking it home on a trailer to do the actual removal there.

Question:
I'm thinking I should cover the only hole I can see on the tree tonight so they are all there when we go to cut the limb in the morning. Does that sound reasonable? Would window screen mesh work to cover the hole with or should I use something else?

Since they've only been there a week and a half do we need to worry about getting the comb out and rubber banding it onto frames?

Here is the link to pictures of the tree. Any other advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Primo]

IMHO
As warm as it has been here (in NW Indiana) it has been easier to get up at the crack of dawn and close bees up to move them rather than in the eve.
There is no telling how deep that cavity is in that tree and if you close them up then cut to high up and open the tree up you will have to wait till after dark to close them back up again anyway.
They might be upset if they are closed up to long during the light hours of the day and be a little hard to work with.
I use aluminum window screen, duct tape and staples to close things like that up to move them.
If they recently moved in there wont be to much comb to cut out so have a frame or two of drawn comb and the rest foundation ready to fill a box or 2 just in case.
Good Luck!!!

[OldScout]

Is the owner really willing to cut down that huge beautiful tree just to get rid of the bees??

[Mrs. Jack T.]

Unfortunatly, yes they are. They don't like the tree because limbs fall off and it makes a mess in the yard and then the bees moved in so they want it gone. The sooner the better is what she told me.

[peggjam]

I'd cut that tree longer verus shorter, as was stated, you don't know how big the cavity is. I would also make sure to have extra screening in case you do hit the cavity, along with staples and other things.........like duct tape .

[Mrs. Jack T.]

IMHO
As warm as it has been here (in NW Indiana) it has been easier to get up at the crack of dawn and close bees up to move them rather than in the eve.
There is no telling how deep that cavity is in that tree and if you close them up then cut to high up and open the tree up you will have to wait till after dark to close them back up again anyway.
They might be upset if they are closed up to long during the light hours of the day and be a little hard to work with.
I use aluminum window screen, duct tape and staples to close things like that up to move them.
If they recently moved in there wont be to much comb to cut out so have a frame or two of drawn comb and the rest foundation ready to fill a box or 2 just in case.
Good Luck!!!

Hey Primo, Thanks for the input!

It is suppose to be in the mid 60s low 70s tonight and tomorrow morning. I live about 40 miles from the tree and the tree removal guy has plans earlier that morning so I don't know about "the crack of dawn". . . Do you think it'd be ok since the weather is going to be cooler? It looks like the sun rise is 6:12am tomorrow so it'd be about 3 hours. I think the tree guy will cut that limb off first and I can head home right after.

I did get some aluminum window screen and staples, I'll grab some duct tape too, that ALWAYS comes in handy!

Should we wait a day or 2 before cutting into the tree or maybe put a box on top of it they have to go through and hope they move into it? Any ideas which works better?

Hey, we haven't ever done this so I REALLY appreciate any and ALL opinions!

[Mrs. Jack T.]

I'd cut that tree longer verus shorter, as was stated, you don't know how big the cavity is. I would also make sure to have extra screening in case you do hit the cavity, along with staples and other things.........like duct tape .

I think cutting longer is a good idea too! As far as if we cut and find a hole I have a piece of plywood to nail onto the bottom/top.
Duct Tape can cure just about anything and if it can't JBWeld can!

[peggjam]

I would wait awhile. Once their're home, they arn't going anywhere. Maybe cut a small block off the tree each day until you get to the begining of the cavity. If you do that on both ends, it will split easier, than if you try to split it with either end solid.

I've never tried the box idea. If one was to get to the start of the cavity, and then put on your box, and then place a rag soaked with fisher's bee quick on it in the open end of the cavity, it might drive them out without spliting the tree. Just be ready with a queen excluder on the box, and no way out for the bees, as they might swarm and cluster where you can't reach them. If going this route, sooner would be better than later, as they won't have as much to "give up" .

[Hobie]

Unfortunatly, yes they are. They don't like the tree because limbs fall off and it makes a mess in the yard and then the bees moved in so they want it gone. The sooner the better is what she told me.

Some people are just SO far beyond my realm of comprehension, it infuriates me.

[Troy]

Hobie,

Why does someone else's parochial attitude affect you in any way? I mean this person's strange attitudes on things really don't make any difference in your life, do they?

Sure it is shallow and she is probably a fastidious person, so she doesn't like a messy tree in her yard. She doesn't like bees. She probably doesn't like honey either.

So what. I'm always curious why her strange attitudes should infuriate you. Personally when I meet someone like this, I just let it roll off me and get to work getting those bees outta there.

I really am just curious. This is not a rant or anything.