Cut-out

[Stiffy]

As part of my work I visited a farm this morning and chatting to the farmer he said his 'missus' has told him that he needs to replace the rotten windows in the farmhouse and to get it done quick.........she scared me too so I could understand his urgency.
He said the biggest problem he has was a swarm of bees which turned up late last year and went into the roof of a dormer 'type' section. I had a look and yep there are bees going in and out of some missing slates into a small void between the roof and ceiling of this small dormer.
I told him that it would need some work as the ceiling will need removing to gain access. This he is happy with and is also going to take the window out (probably fall out if not) to aid getting at them.
I plan to go there on Sunday to try and cut them out and band the comb into frames and then into a brood box, once complete leave for a few days to settle, any suggestions or advice gratefully received.
BTW he said he had contacted the local beekeepers group when the swarm arrived and they failed to get back to him.
S

 

[Gilberdyke John]

As part of my work I visited a farm this morning and chatting to the farmer he said his 'missus' has told him that he needs to replace the rotten windows in the farmhouse and to get it done quick.........she scared me too so I could understand his urgency.
He said the biggest problem he has was a swarm of bees which turned up late last year and went into the roof of a dormer 'type' section. I had a look and yep there are bees going in and out of some missing slates into a small void between the roof and ceiling of this small dormer.
I told him that it would need some work as the ceiling will need removing to gain access. This he is happy with and is also going to take the window out (probably fall out if not) to aid getting at them.
I plan to go there on Sunday to try and cut them out and band the comb into frames and then into a brood box, once complete leave for a few days to settle, any suggestions or advice gratefully received.
BTW he said he had contacted the local beekeepers group when the swarm arrived and they failed to get back to him.
S

If it's an old dormer there might not be felt under the slates and access from the top might be the easier method. I'd check this before pulling down interior plaster.

 

[oliver90owner]

Working on the outside should def need scaffold tower and insurance. Working inside might be OK.

 

[enrico]

Try and find them before you start ripping things to pieces. You would be surprised how far they can travel inside a roof or wall!
See if you can hear them behind the plasterboard...... Good luck
E

 

[Stiffy]

If it's an old dormer there might not be felt under the slates and access from the top might be the easier method. I'd check this before pulling down interior plaster.

Many thanks, I did think of attempting from top but can see all the slates ending up on the floor, the place really is in need of modernization!
The ceiling is only about a square meter and looks to be just a piece of plaster board, what's underneath this board goodness knows. The job should be interesting to say the least.
I want to leave the boxed bees close to their chosen site for a couple of days but not sure how close I can get it. Any ideas on the furthest distance I could leave the box away from the original site or or is it the old 3ft rule?
S

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Dave /Oscroft]

ceiling

If its an old farm and the ceilings not been touched for some time, the plasterboard may be covering up the old original ceiling which could be the old lath & plaster or could even be wattle & daub !!! breathing mask on under veil is my advise as its going to be very dusty, i've knocked a few old ceilings out in my time. But you can always go and have a pint or two after, to wash the dust down !

Dave W

 

[Nige.Coll]

be prepared to get very dirty

 

[BeeNice]

Going from the inside means you will have a room full of bees, hard to get into a box. On the outside you are only dealing with outside space and could place a hive and collect most of the returning bees. Good luck.

 

[Andre cardona]

As part of my work I visited a farm this morning and chatting to the farmer he said his 'missus' has told him that he needs to replace the rotten windows in the farmhouse and to get it done quick.........she scared me too so I could understand his urgency.
He said the biggest problem he has was a swarm of bees which turned up late last year and went into the roof of a dormer 'type' section. I had a look and yep there are bees going in and out of some missing slates into a small void between the roof and ceiling of this small dormer.
I told him that it would need some work as the ceiling will need removing to gain access. This he is happy with and is also going to take the window out (probably fall out if not) to aid getting at them.
I plan to go there on Sunday to try and cut them out and band the comb into frames and then into a brood box, once complete leave for a few days to settle, any suggestions or advice gratefully received.
BTW he said he had contacted the local beekeepers group when the swarm arrived and they failed to get back to him.
S

Let us know how you get on and some images would be good thanks

 

[stephenpug]

"old dormer" have you checked for asbestos

 

[Stiffy]

"old dormer" have you checked for asbestos

I had and will be wearing a full mask etc. The farmer is going to sheet off the dormer from the rest of the room, if I can I am also going to see if he can make do without that room for a day or two while they settle. Going to be fun !
S

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[sharonh]

If you get them settled into a brood box for a few days, then move in the evening time when all bees in bed. You can block entrance and secure the box well.
Are you moving over 3 mile away?
Incase of disease, I wouldn't bring them back around your own hives until you are happy with their health.
Best of luck with it all

 

[Illo]

Here here

 

[Heather]

Hope goes as well as my bee rescue from a brick wall 2 weeks ago. My pic in gallery.

Hammering didn't cause too much disturbance, and as I gently removed comb, not too many fliers. I opened a window so any escapees could go out to original entrance and return to colony- kept the 'room bees' down.

I also had to beg 2 extra cardboard boxes to accommodate the mass of comb which wouldn't fit into brood box I had taken.
Good luck.

 

[Moggs]

And... double check for asbestos - worth mentioning twice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jed D]

Here's some pictures of a cut out, we done last week....

This time of year , I would work from the inside of the house.

http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Jed-D/media/new006_zps5abbe263.jpg.html


Be prepare to chase them up the wall and in the ceiling..

http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Jed-D/media/new011_zps5c49fda0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1


These Bees had been in the wall for 3 full summers , 12 combs , some 4 foot long !!

http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Jed-D/media/new012_zps809b8cc7.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

We are intending to feed them , they own honey back , should give them a good start in their new home....


This Queen wedge herself high in a corner of the roof with only a small custer of Bees. Despite most of the Bees , all brood and some food / stores left close by in a Nuc. The next day we had to vacuum her out...


P.S. Cut outs very quickly turn in to a full mission , get some help..... Good luck..

 

[Andre cardona]

Here's some pictures of a cut out, we done last week....

This time of year , I would work from the inside of the house.

http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Jed-D/media/new006_zps5abbe263.jpg.html


Be prepare to chase them up the wall and in the ceiling..


http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Jed-D/media/new011_zps5c49fda0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1


These Bees had been in the wall for 3 full summers , 12 combs , some 4 foot long !!

http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/Jed-D/media/new012_zps809b8cc7.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

We are intending to feed them , they own honey back , should give them a good start in their new home....


This Queen wedge herself high in a corner of the roof with only a small custer of Bees. Despite most of the Bees , all brood and some food / stores left close by in a Nuc. The next day we had to vacuum her out...


P.S. Cut outs very quickly turn in to a full mission , get some help..... Good luck..

Good work Jed thanks for posting images.

 

[dn170221]

You probably know but don't band any honey as it would like cause robbing.
If you can get the queen into a clip it greatly helps.
Don't over smoke, they have nowhere to go.
Good luck, get some photos for us if you can!!
D

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Many thanks, I did think of attempting from top but can see all the slates ending up on the floor, the place really is in need of modernization!
The ceiling is only about a square meter and looks to be just a piece of plaster board, what's underneath this board goodness knows. The job should be interesting to say the least.
I want to leave the boxed bees close to their chosen site for a couple of days but not sure how close I can get it. Any ideas on the furthest distance I could leave the box away from the original site or or is it the old 3ft rule?
S

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Plasterboard? Not really an old building with lath and plaster then?
I suggest moving the cut out bees away by the usual 3 miles but leave an empty bait hive next to or close by the old entrance for a few days. Seal the old entrance and beequick the cavity you clear.

 

[itma]

... any suggestions or advice gratefully received.
BTW he said he had contacted the local beekeepers group when the swarm arrived and they failed to get back to him.

It might be prudent to have a Bee Vacuum available. As JedD reports, they can be useful/needed.
I've heard of people using Ash Vac attachments onto an ordinary vacuum cleaner to collect bees.
There are advantages to working in a house - mains electricity for one!




I'm not surprised there was no enthusiasm from the swarm line. Once a swarm is in, they are in. The time for simple 'collection' is past.

Nevertheless, failing to "get back to him" sounds like it deserves a bit more investigation. Did he leave just one message on an answering machine? Might be worth checking with whoever he contacted.
I am right now "failing to get back to" someone - a carefully written out email address doesn't work (550 - unrouteable address), and I have no other details... ho hum.