GSM.WARDELL wrote: > > rmedders wrote: > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > > Can anyone offer suggestions for the questions below? > > > > Our compost bin has recently been taken over by honey bees. We would like to > > know how to safely remove them without killing them, so we can have our bin > > back. > > Tom and Dawn Guined, from Maui, HI > > [log in to unmask] > > > > Do you know of anyone who is using homeopathic remedies against bee mites? > > Kathleen Moore [log in to unmask] > > > > Thanks for your help, > > Sherry Medders > > [log in to unmask] > > http://beekeeping.miningco.com > From Geoff Wardell, Scotland UK. > > There are two possible ways of removing bees from the compost bin > depending on access and time available both of which I have seen > successfully carried out. > > 1. If the brood nest can be reached, prepare an empty hive with frames > not fitted with foundation. In the evening transfer the combs into the frames, holding them in place with foundation re-inforcingwiretaking > care not to damage or distort them any more than is neccessary. This is > more important than filling the frames as the bees will do this for > themselves in due course. When the bees have settled down move the hive > to another site at least one mile distant or if it is possible to move > the compost bin, set up the hive in the same location and move it later > at leisure. > > 2 If it is possible to reduce the bees' access to their nest inside the > compost bin to one small opening comprising a bee escape by which the > bees can fly out but not re-enter their nest. Set up a queen right hive > close to the escape. Flying bees, returning to the bin will be unable > to enter and will drift into the queen right hive where they will be > accepted because they will be loaded with honey and pollen. After a > month or two the compost bin will be empty of bees. Of course the Queen > will be lost