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-inforcing wire taking
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 Ifit 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