I got a call for a swarm recently and when I was there catching it I noticed that there were bees flying in a hollow about 30 feet up. The guy said that they had been there for quite a few years and likes them there. I have read a little about doing a trap out but have never done it. Is it too late in the year to try to do this to get the genetics or should I wait until next year? I would really love to try to get them if I could. Any thought would be appreciated. Thanks all.
Bees in tree
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The swarm is probbably from the tree, you allready have what you want with out all the work of a trap out.
Besides sounds like the owner likes the bees in the tree.
Give him a jar of honey and he will call you next spring when they swarm again
Paul
Besides sounds like the owner likes the bees in the tree.
Give him a jar of honey and he will call you next spring when they swarm again
Paul
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I would not do a trapout at 30 feet. Just too dangerous.
In this case, set out boxes for their swarms to possibly go in.
If they were 12 feet or lower, i would trap, and take 3 to 4 starts from them each year. Trapping is a sure thing versus just a chance that they go into your swarm boxes, IF, they swarm.
cchoganjr
In this case, set out boxes for their swarms to possibly go in.
If they were 12 feet or lower, i would trap, and take 3 to 4 starts from them each year. Trapping is a sure thing versus just a chance that they go into your swarm boxes, IF, they swarm.
cchoganjr
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Why do you say it would be too dangerous? I had a hive swarm last week, with the swarm settling on a branch 40 feet off the ground in a Ponderosa Pine, and about eight feet out on a branch. See attached pics. While I had to climb several feet above the top of my 30 foot ladder to vacuum up the swarm and rehive them, it wasn't what I would call dangerous. The bees were not agressive and the only protection I wore was a pair of gloves (more for the tree) and a baseball cap.
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My post was.... I would not do a trapout at 30 feet off the ground. Lots more work doing a trapout than a swarm removal.
Reason... Lots of trips up and down a ladder to close off all entrances, set up trap, check trap, then lower trap full of bees to the ground, then remove trap.
A good 5 frame nuc is about $150.00. Is it worth $150.00 to take the chance of working a trapout at 30 feet. I say NO!!
One more suggestion.. ALWAYS WEAR A VEIL. 50 stings in the face, eyes, nose, throat, (and if you continually work bees without a veil) it will happen one day when you least expect it.) the trip to the emergency room will be more than the price of 5 maybe 10 nucs.
cchoganjr
Reason... Lots of trips up and down a ladder to close off all entrances, set up trap, check trap, then lower trap full of bees to the ground, then remove trap.
A good 5 frame nuc is about $150.00. Is it worth $150.00 to take the chance of working a trapout at 30 feet. I say NO!!
One more suggestion.. ALWAYS WEAR A VEIL. 50 stings in the face, eyes, nose, throat, (and if you continually work bees without a veil) it will happen one day when you least expect it.) the trip to the emergency room will be more than the price of 5 maybe 10 nucs.
cchoganjr
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I'd definately wear a veil doing a trapout, as those bees would have a hive to protect.
In my case, I wasn't so much interested in getting another colony to rehive as much as I wanted to avoid having them find a way into my attic or the neighbors to set up shop!
In my case, I wasn't so much interested in getting another colony to rehive as much as I wanted to avoid having them find a way into my attic or the neighbors to set up shop!
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Wouldn't a trapout NOT get the genetics of the colony? All you would get is adult females, no brood or queen.
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Becky All you would get is adult females said:
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