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Message
Bee hive help
Posted on 7/9/22 at 6:45 pm
Posted on 7/9/22 at 6:45 pm
I have a honey bee hive in the split of a tree in my back yard. It has been there for years without issue. This morning they were flying around like crazy later they all settled on the base of the tree at ground level and have been there ever since. Why are they doing this is the hive splitting, will they leave the base of the tree. I don't mind them up in the tree but not where they are now
6
Posted on 7/9/22 at 6:46 pm to shroom14
Probably have another Queen in the hive and she will be forced to leave and start a hive of her own. They will probably be gone in a bit.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 6:51 pm to gumbo2176
Thanks I thought that but with them being there for around 10 hours I wasn't sure.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 6:56 pm to shroom14
They can hang out a week before making a decision, but most likely will be in something in a day or two. The queen most likely died if they had been there a while.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 7:07 pm to shroom14
If you call a local bee keeper they will be glad to have a new hive.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 7:14 pm to Barneyrb
That's what I thought too, I had a friend call one he knew. That keeper sounded like he didn't have time or didnt want it and said he would post it on the local keepers site but seems like no responses. I guess they can stay until they become an issue, grass really needs to be cut but no HOA so I'll look like trash for a week so I don't have to kill them lol
Posted on 7/9/22 at 7:38 pm to shroom14
quote:
. Why are they doing this
i would guess they are depleting the honey supply in the tree due to the extreme heat so they have moved down closer to the lowered level of honey. that or something changed in the tree to open a lower access point which they are now guarding from predators
or, as mentioned, there might be a second queen about to split off from the hive and thats whats going on
This post was edited on 7/9/22 at 7:40 pm
Posted on 7/9/22 at 7:49 pm to keakar
Bees normally swarm in May or June because they "outgrow" there hive. There could be many reasons why they are outside the hive.
I think there is a good chance they will be gone tomorrow morning.
I think there is a good chance they will be gone tomorrow morning.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 8:46 pm to gerald65
Where are you located? If still there, I’ll come get them tomorrow assuming close by
Posted on 7/10/22 at 10:05 am to shroom14
They are swarming (splitting the hive in half and making a second hive somewhere else) or absconding (abandoning that location for any number of reasons).
While they are swarmed like that they are generally pretty docile. It’ll take a few days but eventually they will move on when they have chosen a site for a hive.
If you want, you can attempt to capture the swarm by taking a cardboard or wooden box, cut a hole in the side, and place it close to the mass of bees. If you have PPE you can knock some into the box. Once they recognize it’s there and suitable you’ll see them start fanning at the entrance signaling to the other bees that they have found a home. They’ll start marching down the tree and right into the box. It’s pretty cool to watch.
While they are swarmed like that they are generally pretty docile. It’ll take a few days but eventually they will move on when they have chosen a site for a hive.
If you want, you can attempt to capture the swarm by taking a cardboard or wooden box, cut a hole in the side, and place it close to the mass of bees. If you have PPE you can knock some into the box. Once they recognize it’s there and suitable you’ll see them start fanning at the entrance signaling to the other bees that they have found a home. They’ll start marching down the tree and right into the box. It’s pretty cool to watch.
This post was edited on 7/10/22 at 10:06 am
Posted on 7/10/22 at 10:34 am to BallsEleven
Won’t have much time to get ready, but a great opportunity to get into beekeeping if interested.
Posted on 7/10/22 at 10:44 am to TimeOutdoors
For sure. If I was close I’d drive on over with an empty nuc.
Posted on 7/11/22 at 6:53 am to shroom14
My dad had one of those slat boxes in our back yard when I was a kid, he would pull that cone out with the wax/honey on it and we would chew it right out of the box.
Pure Greatness
It would be cool if you could move them to one of these
Pure Greatness
It would be cool if you could move them to one of these
Posted on 7/11/22 at 2:24 pm to shroom14
Slight highjack, what kind of money is there in bee keeping vs commitment? I'm looking for side hustles to do in retirement.
Posted on 7/11/22 at 9:23 pm to greenbean
It's cheap you can come get the bee's that are still here for free seems like most of them left maybe half are left in a clump in the grass now
Posted on 7/11/22 at 9:52 pm to greenbean
I just know a little greenbean, but its a good thing to use during tax time.
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