Tree was felled yesterday and workers quit because of the bees. Tree that I had gotten several swarms from last year.
Went over there late when I was notified. Cut the limb away from the rest of the tree. Hollow limb/log was close to 6-7 feet long (including) a section that was cut away from the main hive and the bees left to be with rest of hive. Screened over all entrances (both ends and 1 knot hole) except 1. Why did I do that??? :doh: Should have screened off all of the entrances.
Went back today. Vacuumed out some bees. Stopped concentrating on bees in the log, closed off last entrance and started vacuuming the foragers (many bringing in pollen). And there were a lot of foragers. Started vacuuming again. Finally gave up. Sealed the last entrance and secured the others better. Put log in truck and came home with log full of bees/comb/brood/honey and a hive (part of the beevac) full of bees. High box in bee vac has brood comb with honey and some pollen from a deadout this winter. So they will have some supplies.
So tomorrow I need to open the log. Haven't decided exactly how to do it. But these bees are testy because of all of the sawing over the last 2 days. Thinking about sawing the log into 2 or 3 manageable sections and sealing the new ends quickly with screen.
Will need to vacuum bees again as I cut and seal. But I will need to replace the hive that's on the bee vac now and put on another one. Will probably place the current hive of bees where I had a deadout in my back yard this winter. Put another high box on the bee vac.
With 3 sections I can split the logs open 1 at a time and vacuumed the bees as I go and put the brood/honey/pollen comb into medium frames. Easier to take comb that is about the size of a medium rather than installing several strips in a large frame. If I am lucky I will find the queen. Will use smoke to keep the bees under some control which should help me find the queen.
Once I am finished, I can put all of the boxes together.
With that many bees I am seriously thinking about making a couple of splits with this large hive. With bees that have been in a tree that long (had to be there a long time to have that much comb), their genetics have to be really good. Never saw the 1st SHB.
What say you? Hopefully I will see a few suggestions when I wake up tomorrow.
Went over there late when I was notified. Cut the limb away from the rest of the tree. Hollow limb/log was close to 6-7 feet long (including) a section that was cut away from the main hive and the bees left to be with rest of hive. Screened over all entrances (both ends and 1 knot hole) except 1. Why did I do that??? :doh: Should have screened off all of the entrances.
Went back today. Vacuumed out some bees. Stopped concentrating on bees in the log, closed off last entrance and started vacuuming the foragers (many bringing in pollen). And there were a lot of foragers. Started vacuuming again. Finally gave up. Sealed the last entrance and secured the others better. Put log in truck and came home with log full of bees/comb/brood/honey and a hive (part of the beevac) full of bees. High box in bee vac has brood comb with honey and some pollen from a deadout this winter. So they will have some supplies.
So tomorrow I need to open the log. Haven't decided exactly how to do it. But these bees are testy because of all of the sawing over the last 2 days. Thinking about sawing the log into 2 or 3 manageable sections and sealing the new ends quickly with screen.
Will need to vacuum bees again as I cut and seal. But I will need to replace the hive that's on the bee vac now and put on another one. Will probably place the current hive of bees where I had a deadout in my back yard this winter. Put another high box on the bee vac.
With 3 sections I can split the logs open 1 at a time and vacuumed the bees as I go and put the brood/honey/pollen comb into medium frames. Easier to take comb that is about the size of a medium rather than installing several strips in a large frame. If I am lucky I will find the queen. Will use smoke to keep the bees under some control which should help me find the queen.
Once I am finished, I can put all of the boxes together.
With that many bees I am seriously thinking about making a couple of splits with this large hive. With bees that have been in a tree that long (had to be there a long time to have that much comb), their genetics have to be really good. Never saw the 1st SHB.
What say you? Hopefully I will see a few suggestions when I wake up tomorrow.