In a message dated 97-11-07 00:46:48 EST,  [log in to unmask] (Randy, Isa & Alina
Chase) writes:
 
<< I received a call this evening from someone who cut down a rather large,
 hollow tree and discovered a hive of honey bees.  He called me to see if
 they could be saved.  According to his description, they are located in
 a ten foot section of tree which is about to be reduced to potash.  He
 wants to know if the hive can be saved. >>
 
   It's too late this season, even here in the south to transfer them. If the
comb wasn't too badly smashed up in the fall of the tree, they may survive
the winter in the section of log. You'll need to prop it up in the same
orientation that it had while standing.
 
   Next spring, if they make it, lay the log on its side. Using a chain saw
as a kind of raking rasp, level off a flat spot on the top of the log. Make
sure there is an opening into the nest. Place a 16x20 piece of plywood on the
flat spot, with a hole at the same spot as the hole in the log. Place a super
of drawn comb on the plywood and an upside down bottom board over that. Plug
up all entrances except the one you provided on top of the super.
 
   The queen will not want to lay eggs in sideways comb, so she is likely to
move up into the super. Once she is up there, put an excluder under.
 
    If she does not come up in a week or so, get a rubber mallet and begin a
steady rythmic pounding on the log. The bees will run up into the super, and
perhaps out. As soon as most of the bees are in the super, stick an excluder
below it.
 
   This method has never failed me; it's a whale of a lot less work than hand
tying comb into frames, and you get more in the end, with less stress on the
bees.  The hard part is getting them through the winter. If you get some nice
days, you might give them some syrup. Probably ought to give them Apistan
strips, if you can figure out a way to get them to walk on it. (Unless you
are looking for mite resistant breeding stock)
 
[log in to unmask]     Dave Green    Hemingway, SC  29554
The Pollination Scene: http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html
 
Jan's Sweetness & Light Shop   (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles)
http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm