First call out for 2011

[thurrock bees]

I recieved a call yesterday concerning bees already ! A couple called about bees being in a dead apple tree that they want to cut down and remove from their garden. However they dont wish do destroy the bees so they called me.



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They are just below the bird box and was very activie today. I were thinking about blocking the entrance and cut the tree above away and then cut the bottom away and remove them inside the tree to my out apriay where i can remove them at my own place causing less damage to them?

 

[Queens59]

Good Luck! Just out of interest...how do you know where to cut the tree...or is it a guess??

 

[drstitson]

"Just out of interest...how do you know where to cut the tree...or is it a guess??"

if the whole tree is hollow (which it probably is) then before you start cutting how about knocking up a round OMF, crownboard and roof. cut the tree down bit by bit and when you reahc the bees stick the crownboard on top then chop off the section with bees in and place on OMF!!!!!

 

[Skyhook]

They are just below the bird box and was very activie today. I were thinking about blocking the entrance and cut the tree above away and then cut the bottom away and remove them inside the tree to my out apriay where i can remove them at my own place causing less damage to them?

Will you be weilding the chainsaw yourself? I imagine it would be a case of starting high up, and cutting slices until you reach bees- but bee suit (or at least veil) essential as I don't suppose they'll like it much.

Does the veil go under or over the chainsaw helmet I wonder?

 

[RoofTops]

You might be able to probe for the cavity with a long drill if you can get one. The normal wood drills will not be long enought but it is possible to get long ones mail order and if you have specialist supplier locally they may have them in stock.

 

[MJBee]

It is difficult to guess the diameter of the tree from the photograph but mature apple tree about 12 - 18 inches?

I have a 12" long 8mm drill that I use with a pocket full of bits of 8mm dowell. Drill at 12" intervals from the bottom of the tree upwards until you find a. the cavity then b. the bees. Once bees start to exit via the 8mm hole block it with dowell, your bottom cut will be the next hole below.

To find the top of the nest do the same thing from where the trunk branches, working downwards. Hopefully the bit containing the nest will not be too big to handle - do you know a friendly farmer with a front end loader tractor? - Place the section of the trunk on the ground along side the tree wait until evening, close up and move.

Good luck, let us know how you get on with pics if possible.

 

[justme]

spose tapping the trunk to listen for where it is solid n therefore where it is hollow may work but would rile the bees? Just a thought.

 

[newportbuzz]

will you please take photos when you go at it or even better a video. best of luck the dowel and drill bit is a nice simple idea.

 

[thurrock bees]

i will add with progress reports, they are talking about getting tree surgrens in to cut the tree down.

 

[hedgerow pete]

the way i check a tree hole for depth is very very complicated buy i will try to explain in non techno speak. if anyone finds it to complicated then please dont send me a pm

find a long flexable bambo bean cane and try stuffing it down the tree hole, depending on what goes in will depend on how deep the hole is, simpels

 

[Midland Beek]

What you are proposing is likely to work, providing you have the cooperation of the tree people. A member of my local assoc recoverd a 'ready made log hive' a while back and it ended up at the association apiary.

A strong bee-proof fabric could be pinned over the entrance, the idea being one of allowing the colony to breathe while in transit.

Or perhaps the owners of the property might like a log hive in a quiet corner of their garden?

 

[Somerford]

I would, being the proud owner of a Stihl chainsaw, lopp off all overhead branches and then gradually work my way down the trunk, cutting 2 to 4 " pieces off until I came to the top of the combs, then cover them up, and seal the entrance

then I'd take a small wedge out of one side of the bottom, about 1-2" and keep doing this on alternate sides so as not to weaken the trunk too much, working upwards until I found the base of the nest.

Then with the help of some willing volunteers, I would cut two slots opposite each other, big enough to put, eg, 2 scaffold poles and then tie them in place to support the lifting of the trunk

Then cut the trunk at the lower edge, flat, and get the 2/4 people to lift the trunk onto the floor, keeping upright.
Remove to a site 3 miles away and when spring comes, put a nice brood chamber full of lovely drawn comb on top of your 'log hive' and let nature take it's course !

Simples

S

 

[hedgerow pete]

if you are looking as ideas then try these as somerform has said i also own a chain saw. my prefferance after doing several before is to either clinc film or duct tape a net curtain mesh doubled up over the hole at night as late as posible this way they are in and out of your way apart from the few that stayed out over night.

crop the tree limbs off so all we have is a tree trunk to deal with.

if you dip the hole the day before once up and twice down we can then have a rough idea of how far up and how far down, then i would try cutting the top part say 4" higher than allowed for, but only go half way through just to see if it is still hollow if so duct tape the cut and try higher up, as for the bottom cut i would suggest that you go for a foot at least below the bottom inside at least.

in that way when you finaly get it to the apairy you can always reburry the base and let the bees out in there new tree home

 

[newportbuzz]

when you get it home its going to be the first 6 ft high hive stand. gunna take a lot of straps to secure that in the storms

 

[Liam C Ryan]

Very interesting job ,don,t forget to keep us posted.

 

[Hombre]

You will hive to log in to see that particular post Liam.
Is this what is known as pun-ishment . . .?

I was thinking that sat in a hole in the ground, it would probably take a lot of wind to blow it over.