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From: Michael Reddell <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: crazy project
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 1997 3:26 AM
 
I've been working with a friend to keep up with the local swarm calls and
we got a fairly routine call the other day for a free hanging colony under
a tree branch.  It's a nice little colony about 6 combs across and 12
inches wide by 18 inches long.  It's hanging about 25 feet up in a locust
tree directly over the northbound lane of a moderatly busy residential
street.
Suddenly it's not so routine any more - the kind of situation I usually
decide will take care of itself without my help.
 
But my partner has some pretty good connections among the local public
servants, and has managed to get the city arborist to schedule a morning
for us to go up in the cherry picker and bring it down a week from Friday.
Well, ok then.  I'm game for something new and different.
 
We've been working on the details, and have come up with an ambitious plan
to try to preserve the colony as much as possible in its original form
rather than binding chunks of brood comb into frames.   Our current
thinking is that we can build a modified top bar hive and transfer the
existing comb from the branch to the top bars.  The trick is to securely
attach the comb to the top bars.  What we hope to do is to coat the surface
of the top bar with wax, cut a comb from the tree, carefully turn it upside
down, melt the wax on the top bar with a propane torch and press the comb
into the melted wax.  Then, when it's cool, turn it right side up and hang
it in the hive.  All this of course with bees and brood in place on and in
the comb.  I don't actually know if it will work.  I don't know how
defensive these bees are.  I don't know how well the wax will bond.  I
don't know how well the cherry picker operation will go.  It should be fun.
 I'll post the results here.
 
In the mean time, if anyone out there has experience along these lines, or
ideas to offer, we're open to suggestions.
Michael
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You don't have to go to so much trouble.  Just get some cotton cord similar
to butchers cord.  Cut some brood comb to fit inside a frame.  While
holding the cut comb in the frame, wrap frame and comb, top to bottom
several times and tie it off.
The bees will attach the comb and remove the cord.  They seem to hate
having it in their nest.  Find the queen ASAP cage her and put her in the
new hive.  The sooner you catch her,  the sooner the bees will start moving
in. Remove all remnants of the nest and if you have it soak it with honey
robber or bee go.
 
If you find the queen and get her in the hive, it is time for a little PR.
Pick an good spot on the ground nearby spread a white sheet.  Have the
cherry picker operator lower you to that spot.  Make it slow enough that
the bees can leave a scent trail.  Then place the hive on the ground and
allow the bees to scent their sisters into the hive.  Once this process has
started,  remove veil and gloves and explain the process to the crowd you
are sure to draw.  If the bees are completely calm,  stand very close to
the hive to one side while explaining. It there is a TV or newspaper
photographer nearby, invite them to get close shots.  the bees stand out
nicely against the white sheet.
 
Frank Humphrey
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