REGARDING           RE>bees in a garage
 
John, from Santa Cruz, CA writes:
>has anyone out there had any experience removing bees from a garage wall
>where the wall is open inside and out?
 
>i plan on removing as much of the comb as i can reach, putting it into
>a hive body inside the garage a few inches from the exit / entrance hole
>and hope the bees will then migrate to the box.  right now they're in
>a dead space in the wall and spilling out onto the ceiling of the garage
>where they're annoying the owner.
 
>there's no way i can trap all the bees since they're open to flying both
>in and out of the garage.  so the hive with their comb installed as a
>bait box seems the way to go.
 
This will work.  However, be prepared for a colossal mess!  The natural comb
will not necessarily fit well into frames.  I have tried to prepare frames by
nailing a wire mesh (1/2 inch openings or the like) on one side and having
another sheet ready to nail on the other side after having placed the comb.
If the comb is irregular, it may still not fit well unless you pare down the
"fat" places.
 
Before beginning to remove any comb, make the opening in the wall as large as
possible.  The bees may not like this, but it will save you grief as you go
along.  It will be necessary to scrape out every bit of comb and wash down all
honey, because the bees will be attracted to the original spot even if you
have the brood, stores, queen and all in a bait hive right next to it.
 
Be warned:  this is a messy job.  You will get honey all over yourself, the
combs, the bees, etc.  Even using lots of smoke, the bees will not be happy
with the move.  But it will work.
 
Ted Fischer