[Sickdog5]

Got a call the other day from some people that just moved into a house that was renovated from a barn. They moved in last Friday and we got really warm temps the other day so they noticed honey bees coming out of the side of the barn. About 10 feet off ground rite were a soffit meets the barn. I dont have a flir camera to locate them. Do you think they would be in the soffit or close to it? I know they could be anywhere but i am not going to rip the whole side of the barn off. Any tips on finding them?

And what temps would i need it to be to safely cut them out?

 

[rwlaw]

I’ve used a stethoscope and a long drill bit (see if bits of bits comb/honey comes out with it).
I would wait until till after the maple blooms are over at least so they’re strong enough to adapt to the move.

 

[zabadoh]

Many, but not all, Home Depots have Flir cameras for rent.

https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Thermal-Camera/FLIR-i7/

 

[fieldsofnaturalhoney]

As you pointed out, they could be anywhere. If you can't rent or borrow a Flir (I also believe the Ipad has a download), Drill a hole and send in a borescope. Any temperature at or above 60 degrees consecutively for me is a go.

 

[My-smokepole]

I have all is found them pretty close to their entrance. So I would cut right below the entrance and at the top of the board. And go from their.

 

[Litsinger]

Many, but not all, Home Depots have Flir cameras for rent.

https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Thermal-Camera/FLIR-i7/

Good information, zabadoh. Didn't know this!

 

[Sickdog5]

When would be a ok time to do the c/o? Next week mid to high 50's and lows of like 36 at night.

 

[rwlaw]

You might want to wait till the lows are a little warmer. They’ll be disorganized for a bit, those lows would be leading to clustering which might be difficult for em. The highs are a little towards a little on the low side for me also.

 

[Sickdog5]

You might want to wait till the lows are a little warmer. They’ll be disorganized for a bit, those lows would be leading to clustering which might be difficult for em. The highs are a little towards a little on the low side for me also.

Whats would be acceptable temps. to do the c/o?

 

[Hoot Owl Lane Bees]

Contestant lows in the 50 s would be best. You could get away with lows around 45 if it was staying around 70 during the day.

 

[rwlaw]

Yup, what hoot owl says. Plus when you have temps in 50/70 f range, the nectar will really be kicking in, that’ll give the colony the voltage to repair and start to build instead of when the temps are low which will inhibit wax production, reliance on sugar syrup, etc.

 

[Sickdog5]

Could I possibly do it sooner? I have plenty of comb and resources to give them. Highs this week will be 60’s and mid 40’s at night.