[crabbydad]

from the outside they are entering between some voids in the block wall about 28' up. on the inside there is a steel flat roof that had a new A frame roof built over top. there is a second level inside at the area where they are. standing on the very top of a 6' ladder, I can touch the ceiling, and I could smell the hive. so they are about 11' off the ground to the bottom of the ceiling. Over the phone the woman told me there was wood on the walls, but it is block. I'm pretty sure they are between the roofs and not in the soffit. they are also coming into the building where the steel frame goes into the block. I took my inspection camera and a pry bar assuming I could pull back some sheeting to look. I didn't have anything to drill a hole in the steel ceiling so I could have a look. I told them I would think about it and let her know or give her the name of someone who may do it , but probably not for free. they want them out of there soon. I'm pretty sure a large section of the steel ceiling would need to be cut out to get them out. I took 1 sting to the forearm while up on the ladder.

any thoughts?

 

[txbeek]

If this will be your first cutout, I would walk away.

How thick is the "steel" roof you would have to cut through - is it like thin metal siding, or galvanized corregated sheet metal? If sheet metal, I would walk away.

How much space do you have to work between the roofs? If you have to crawl, I would walk away.

How is the ventilation in the space? If you cant get some cool air, I would walk away. You will sweat outside in a breeze doing a cutout, even with a ventilated suit. Doing one in an enclosed attic might kill you and the bees.

How will you get a hive up there to put the cutout comb in? How will you get it down?

Just some things to consider given your description.

 

[Mr.Beeman]

First of all we need to charge for all cutouts. It IS work and hard sweaty work to boot.
Second, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Third, more pics would help us help you more.

 

[crabbydad]

i didn't have my glasses on when i took the pics, i should have gotten a picture of the whole area. i'm not sure how thick the ceiling is , it used to be the roof before they built up a A frame roof on top. it seems pretty thick. its about 12" up from the floor, which meens a lot of up and down an extension ladder. the lighting is very poor in that area. its in a liqour distributors warehouse. i'm trying to decide wether i want to try it or not. if i do it i would have to drill a hole so i can get my inspection camera in there and see exactly where they are. i would cut a larger enough part of the ceiling out so i could work comfortably. if it was an easy to get to hive, i was going to do it for free for the experience. i told them i would let them know and if i didn't do it i would give them the name of someone who may, but it wouldn't be free. they want them out of there soon. they did me 2 bottles of wine for my time

 

[Mr.Beeman]

Sounds like they are going to need an access hole into the attic space anyhow. Maybe from the gable end? What's the gable end contruction like?

 

[crabbydad]

not sure, if i do it i will cut a large square out in the metal directly under the hive, assuming the comb is attached to the wood roof. definetly not enough room to work in there with the ceiling intact. there is an acces hatch to the area, but it is 30' away and looking at the pitch of the roof, i would have to crawl, so that is not an option.

 

[Lburou]

Txbeek has some good advice. If you want to do your homework before you commit, I'd borrow a FLIR gun and look at the infrared signature of the bees in situ. Those images will help you a LOT.