A local church has found out that I am a beekeeper through a friend that attends their church, and they want me to remove a hive of bees that are in the celling of their womans sunday school class room(been there atleast a year). They are in the celling of the first floor, the outside of the building is mostely brick and can not get to them from there. The members of the church are willing to replace the sheet rock in the celling if I can get the bees out(at least it there will be ac in the building). I know where they are comming in from the outside, and know where they are in the celling(cut a small hole and the bees started coming out fast). I warn them that I am a new beekeeper and have not done this before but have read and talked to several people about it and that it would be messy.

My questions are.
1. What tools do I need? (going to borrow a bee vac or make one this week).
2. Do you suggest using a smoker? I told them that I might need to use one and they did not have a problem with it.
3. After getting bees and comb out and put in a box do I leave the box in the class room or take it ouside near the entrance so the rest of the bees can go in.
4. How long do I need to leave the bees there before moving them to my yard.

Thanks for any advise from me and I am sure the ladies in that class will thank you.