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Post by Electric Herb on Jul 13, 2009 20:14:48 GMT -7
I have been asked to remove this colony that has been in a tree for a month about 20 ft above a street in Forest Grove. The city will be providing a bucket truck to make it easy to get to the hive. I estimate the colony to be about the size of two basketballs. I could use advice from anyone who has done something like this before. Thanks!   |
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Post by bugleman on Jul 14, 2009 8:49:18 GMT -7
Advise Herb?
Bring a GIANT brood box!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by jardiniere28 on Jul 15, 2009 8:13:28 GMT -7
WOw!!! Aren't they gorgeous!!! Yes! A GIANT box seems to be the way!
Let us know how that works out. A bucket truck? Aren't you on easy street!!! : )
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Post by ryanb on Jul 15, 2009 15:07:46 GMT -7
A month? They would HAVE to have comb under all those bees wouldnt they? They couldnt like a month with no additional resources I would imagine? I agree... a great big box.
Glad they are helping you out. I had Newberg call me to remove some bees. They were at a glance over 30 feet up on a branch with nothing around to get near them. Had to leave em.
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Post by drew on Jul 15, 2009 20:11:39 GMT -7
Hey those Newberg bees are mine ;D  Dang Herb I see bees for winter nucs, drop them in a box, with drawn comb, let them settle. Then yank the queen and make winter nucs with them....  That's what I would do at least. |
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Post by Electric Herb on Jul 16, 2009 19:31:35 GMT -7
Well, the Forest Grove Power Company guys made it a breeze with the bucket truck. They were happy to help.  I reviewed the previous cut outs with Bugleman that we worked together and he had some great suggestions. I was able to out the single deep with stapled bottom board on the remote control panel of the bucket. Aaron, one of the power company guys, had my extra gear on and controlled the bucket. He positioned deep directly below the colony. It was perfect for cutting everything down. There were about 8 layers of comb which I cut out and put in frames with 6 rubber bands on each. I was able to get quite a few bees into the hive and then after a few trips back up to brush off the bees that kept gathering on the branch, the power company guys offered to cut the branch down. It didn't take much before Aaron was in the bucket with his mini chain saw. What accommodating guys! Aaron cut the ends of the branches off and then cut out the crotch of the branch with all the bees and remaining comb. He passed the cut out piece to me and I shook the bees into the box and closed it up. Before I left and waited for sunset, I checked around the hive and found a small group of bees on the pavement near the hive. The queen was among them. I picked her up and was able to show her to the gathered kids as they were extremely interested in the queen. I then put her on the landing board of the box and she walked right in.  Above you can see Aaron at work with his chain saw.     Here are the project supervisors: Cody, Brandon, John and Cameron. John was the guy who called me and then worked his way through the city government to get the power company folks to bring over the bucket truck. He said he called a number of beekeepers that wouldn't even come to take a look. His persistence allowed me to be able to hive the colony. I went back at dusk and picked the box up. John said they kept a constant watch on the box and the bees settled in very quickly. |
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Post by schappertd on Jul 17, 2009 7:39:00 GMT -7
Wonderful pics thanks for sharing and great job!  |
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Post by bugleman on Jul 17, 2009 9:04:03 GMT -7
It is nice to see people that care enough about life to do something. Cudos to you, the power company and John. Bees bring out the good people.   ;D |
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;D