good day!
After 2 years of no success, my bait hive has tenants. There is a little problem though.
The situation:
1 The bait hive is on a maple tree at about 30 ft.
2 There is a huge beard outside of the hive, especially on the side, where...
3 I did spill quite a bit of lemongrass on the outside of the box
4 It has been over 90 F (32 C) in our area for a week now with over 70F (20C) at night. - They don't go in.
5 I checked the trap two weeks ago - it didn't have any bees.
6 The trap has a closable front entry and a couple of closable vents (with grills) on sides. I opened those just yesterday.
7- The trap is a regular size 8 frame langstroth.
8 - The trap is located 100 ft near their future permanent location
My plan:
i On wed it's supposed to be 57F (14C) at night. So supposedly they will go inside.
ii Close the entrance and lower the box to the ground.
iii Move it to my fiend's location for a week.
iv Move it back to my property and move the bees to a nice 8 or 10 frame langstroth with all the perks of a permanent location.
The questions:
a) The most important: They may not go in even at 57F. What do I do?
b) Do I keep the entrance closed for the week while they're at my firend's to avoid the bearding again? (who knows if there will be any more cool nights in the near future).
c) If i keep the entracnce closed, wouldn't I be better off moving them into my basement for 3 days instead of my friend's? - it's cooler in the basement so being confined will put less stress on the little beasts.
Any ideas, suggestions, criticism and threats are welcome. Thanks!
After 2 years of no success, my bait hive has tenants. There is a little problem though.
The situation:
1 The bait hive is on a maple tree at about 30 ft.
2 There is a huge beard outside of the hive, especially on the side, where...
3 I did spill quite a bit of lemongrass on the outside of the box
4 It has been over 90 F (32 C) in our area for a week now with over 70F (20C) at night. - They don't go in.
5 I checked the trap two weeks ago - it didn't have any bees.
6 The trap has a closable front entry and a couple of closable vents (with grills) on sides. I opened those just yesterday.
7- The trap is a regular size 8 frame langstroth.
8 - The trap is located 100 ft near their future permanent location
My plan:
i On wed it's supposed to be 57F (14C) at night. So supposedly they will go inside.
ii Close the entrance and lower the box to the ground.
iii Move it to my fiend's location for a week.
iv Move it back to my property and move the bees to a nice 8 or 10 frame langstroth with all the perks of a permanent location.
The questions:
a) The most important: They may not go in even at 57F. What do I do?
b) Do I keep the entrance closed for the week while they're at my firend's to avoid the bearding again? (who knows if there will be any more cool nights in the near future).
c) If i keep the entracnce closed, wouldn't I be better off moving them into my basement for 3 days instead of my friend's? - it's cooler in the basement so being confined will put less stress on the little beasts.
Any ideas, suggestions, criticism and threats are welcome. Thanks!