Entice Bees into Hive

[Morbihan]

I have a couple of friends who have bees living in a: the trunk of a tree very high up, and b: the end wall of a stone building. Being a newbie I ask is it possible to entice these colonies down into a Nuc? And what to use as a lure, sugar-water or pollen?

 

[bingevader]

I suppose the first question would be why?
Have they been there long?
If the bees are happy in a hole very high in a tree, then unless the tree is going to be cut down, I think I would leave them to it.
The same goes for the bees in the wall.
As long as they are causing no damage or harm and are not a nuisance.
You can perform what is called a trap out, but it's late in the year for that as it can take weeks and there's no guarantee of success.
There are videos on line showing how to do it.
If the bees in the stone wall are a nuisance, then the only option is pesticide and to seal up all the holes so there's no chance of a swarm taking up residence next year.
Failing that, the least you can do next year would be to put out bait boxes, should they issue swarms.

 

[Ian123]

If your interested in keeping bees have you done a course. I’d suggest you sign up over the winter and gain some knowledge on what’s involved. The bees in those cavity’s have built a colony and they won’t be enticed out!, given locations it’s not really the sort of removals a beginner should be trying. Next year with some knowledge gained and if your after free bees bait hives could be used to attract swarms. Just use the search there’s loads of info here!!

 

[Worker bee]

Your best bet is to put a swarm lure or a few swarm lures with a few drawn frames in them next year. You won't get them out of the tree until they swarm, and it's likely they will eventually die out over time but before then they may cast a few swarms you can have

 

[Morbihan]

I read what you say and I think I will well alone. They are not causing any problems. Thanks for taking interest