|
Jun 2022
3:59pm, 9 Jun 2022
2,737 posts
|
Winniefree
200 metres might still be a bit of a stretch for them? Good luck anyway!
|
|
Jun 2022
8:06pm, 9 Jun 2022
89,957 posts
|
Hanneke
Yes, thought that too. They are very wet and bedraggled!
So here we are! And let us hope for dry, still, sunny weather tomorrow...
|
|
Jun 2022
10:40pm, 9 Jun 2022
95 posts
|
Boffin
Very interesting Hanneke... Those bees are not happy where they are... I would be tempted to first draw the queen out, then scoop them up and pop them in your rather fetching hive...
Have you access to any drawn comb, or foundation? I am thinking along the lines of draping sheeting over the gate near their cluster, suspend the comb or foundation under the sheeting and they will possibly move the few inches to the improved accommodation, once the queen is out of her hidy hole then you can move them.?
Thinking of something akin to a 'saddle bag' arrangement of a hive positioned over the fence??
|
|
Jun 2022
10:42pm, 9 Jun 2022
96 posts
|
Boffin
Simplest solution would be cut the gate, although I doubt the farmer would approve 🤔🤣
Then again, if he has that much rot in his gate to allow access for a queen and her entourage, then maybe the gate needs replacing anyway 🤣🤣
|
|
Jun 2022
11:55pm, 9 Jun 2022
89,979 posts
|
Hanneke
Removing the gate is plan F 😂😂😂 current bait hive near gate is plan D. Plan E is drumming on the gate, creating unbearable vibrations... The gate has a few years left in it yet, but if plan D and E yield no results, we will take the gate off its hinges, put it on the trailer, make sure all bees are on board and drive it, very slowly, 2 miles to my hive, prop it up against a tree next to the waiting, baited, hive... Then once gate is vacated, it goes back...
I had the hive over them, it didn't work...
|
|
Jun 2022
12:04am, 10 Jun 2022
89,980 posts
|
Hanneke
I can't help but feel I am being tested to the limit by these bees!!! Weather forecast for tomorrow is sunny, breezy, 19 degrees. Ideal flying weather, fingers crossed! At this point, I don't mind if the swarm elsewhere! I want them somewhere safe, where they can build themselves up for winter!
My friends own the farm and land but no.longer farm themselves. The land is tenanted to their old business partner. The gate being unusable is ratber awkward but the fields beyond it are orchid meadows and not currently grazed... He can get to his livestock with a detour but is totally petrified by the bees being there!!!
|
|
Jun 2022
10:22am, 11 Jun 2022
97 posts
|
Boffin
Bees are always testing us 🙂👍
Best we can do is try and understand their biology and accommodate their needs to our needs and build the compromise.
Unfortunately your skep does not smell of bees - it is clearly are more suitable home than the gate, although they must feel they can do better.
The weather will improve this weekend and they must fly - fingers crossed they find your bait hive.🤞
|
|
Jun 2022
10:26am, 11 Jun 2022
98 posts
|
Boffin
My straight forward swarm collection last week should have been plain sailing... had a peek a couple of days later and they were in there but not drawn any comb...
Will have a look tomorrow and see if they are even still there!
Bees see; we think we know what we are doing- but they are in charge 🙂
|
|
Jun 2022
2:32pm, 11 Jun 2022
90,030 posts
|
Hanneke
You are so right!
They do not like my new skeps, even though I have baited them with beeswax/propolis cream and lemon grass.
I am now thinking of a golden hive... What is the betting that will work??? I am also trying to get some old comb/wax/a frame from somewhere to draw out the queen...
I am being taught a lesson here and tested on my resolve!
|
|
Jun 2022
3:11pm, 11 Jun 2022
100 posts
|
Boffin
Golden Hive - dont recall hearing of one?
Old comb I think has the best bet of working - even if just in a cardboard box cut out and upturned over the bees.
Failing that, why not try a cardboard box with a slot cut out of it to slide over the gate rail - you may find the bees settle in that and start to draw comb - then the queen will come out if the timber and reside on the comb?
If the bees are still there; I would expect they have drawn some comb on the gate by now?
Might be well worth borrowing the suit again and seeing if you can scoop them up again- with any comb - high chance the queen will be on the comb?
|
Fetch Birdwatchers
Jun 2025