David Williams asks for suggestions for removing a hive of bees from 2
whiskey barrels.
 
Eric Bullard suggests the swarm may move of its own accord if offered a
standard hive with frames or alternatively can be cut out.
 
My experience with swarms is that once a site has been agreed upon the bees
must be dislodged within 30 minutes or so of arrival before orientation has
taken place.  Once comb has been built and eggs laid the bees will not
desert their young unless the hive is physically destroyed.
 
I have considerable practice with cutting hives out of areas where the
property owners have objected to their presence and this is not a learning
experience I would recommend for a novice beekeeper.
 
However the fact that the bees are in barrels offers a way to remove them by
working with their instinctive behaviour to start over in the event of fire,
flood or natural catastrophe.  This will work with any container which is
watertight or which can be lifted into a watertight tank or bath high enough
to cover the comb.
There must be an exit at the top, even if the barrel is placed on the side
to enable the bees to escape.
 
By placing a hose in the container or barrel and running water so that it
gradually rises up to the comb, you are simulating flood conditions.  The
bees will walk up as far as they can ahead of the water, abandoning the
brood as it goes under water.  The queen will accompany the other bees.  At
the point where the bees must emerge from the barrel, place a hive box with
lid but without base filled with drawn combs.  The bees will move in a mass
steadily upwards and find their new home. At night simply place a base on
the box and move it 2 or more miles to a suitable location.
 
You will lose the brood and honey stores but you will capture the entire
population including queen without triggering aggression in defence of the
hive.
 
Betty McAdam
HOG BAY APIARY
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
J.H. & E. McAdam<[log in to unmask]
http://kigateway.kin.on.net/hogbay/hogbay1.htm
 
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