Rhombus clearer failed

[Levitt53]

I put my rhombus clearer board on at about 3pm yesterday. We went to move it all at about 7pm but there were still bees in it. We went back at 8.30 this morning and there are still some there. It's a bit drizzly here at the moment so I put the box on the lawn with the clearer board on top (same effect I presume) but I obviously can't leave it here. If for no other reason I have a Labrador. What have I done wrong. I know they can't get back in when they leave but how do you make them leave in the first place? I assumed it did it quickly but have I misunderstood what quickly is and should have left it a lot longer?

 

[Hachi]

You've done nothing wrong, they're not infallible. If there are only a cupful of bees left just shake them off or brush them off.

 

[fatshark]

I assume it's on the right way up?
Big hole : top, small hole : bottom ... when on the hive.
Just shake the remaining bees off the frames perhaps.

 

[drex]

What rim do you have under the clearer board. Is there enough space for the cleared bees to go into? I make mine with about 1.5 inches under the board. They are normally very effective after a few hours, but you may still have to shake the odd one off the frames

 

[Levitt53]

The rim is about an inch. Yes it is the right way up. There are only about a dozen or so left but they are very tetchy. My husband's complaining that he can't leave the house. I've put it all back and will try it again later.

 

[Swarm]

A dozen? Just remove the super and extract, it's the bees around the hive that are your problem not the stragglers left in the super.

 

[Levitt53]

A dozen? Just remove the super and extract, it's the bees around the hive that are your problem not the stragglers left in the super.

Ha ha. There were more last night. Yes we'll do it later, no time now. Another first.

 

[Swarm]

I remember an 8pm failure that I shook off back into the hive, it was starting to rain as well. That was fun, shaking each frame and then reaching for another, realising the veil wasn't even zipped up .... yes they are inside

 

[Erichalfbee]

Bees inside your veil is the stuff of nightmares.
How quickly can you locate and squash them all? Not quickly enough

 

[pargyle]

I think they are quick but I find that putting them on first thing in the morning and then taking them off late afternoon usually works although I've also had good results putting them on last thing in the afternoon and then removing the supers first thing in the morning. There's occasionally a couple of dim bees who have failed to find their way out (or then again - they may be clever ones that have found their way back in !!). Just brush or shake them off the frames and they will go home.

I found that cutting the rhombus in half and putting a half in diagonally opposite corners of the clearer board works best .. with a hole about an inch in diameter.

But .. as others have said .. a dozen stragglers is nothing. You sometimes have to be a bit flexible .. if they have not cleared well put the lid back on and leave them for an hour or so more ...

The rhombus is still, by far, the most effective clearer.

 

[pargyle]

Bees inside your veil is the stuff of nightmares.
How quickly can you locate and squash them all? Not quickly enough

Ah yes .... one bee in your veil is bad ... several ....aghhhh !

I try to hold my breath or breath very lightly whilst walking slowly away froim the hives, hoping that one does not start crawling towards my nose, eyes or mouth. Then gently back with the veil ....and hopefully off they go. Squishing them has, for me, in the past resulted in stings ... I think it's the smell of bee death !

 

[Swarm]

My daughter once managed to get a bee inside her suit and inside her T-shirt and escaped sting free.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I try to hold my breath or breath very lightly whilst walking slowly away froim the hives,

You have nerves of steel Philip

 

[pargyle]

You have nerves of steel Philip

Fear can work in mysterious ways .... sadly my tactics don't always result in what I hope for .... !

 

[Karsal]

I put my rhombus clearer board on at about 3pm yesterday. We went to move it all at about 7pm but there were still bees in it. We went back at 8.30 this morning and there are still some there. It's a bit drizzly here at the moment so I put the box on the lawn with the clearer board on top (same effect I presume) but I obviously can't leave it here. If for no other reason I have a Labrador. What have I done wrong. I know they can't get back in when they leave but how do you make them leave in the first place? I assumed it did it quickly but have I misunderstood what quickly is and should have left it a lot longer?

I went to the Lancashire beekeeping convention a month ago and Simon Caville gave a talk on his beekeeping experiences and clearing a super was one of them.

When you have many hives commercially clearer boards are something he doesn't use. He uses old cotton pillowcases with almond oil on them. Lift off the crown boards and place the pillowcase over the frames and pop the lid back on. Return after five minutes and the super is clear of bees. Apparently they hate the smell of the almond oil and move down away from the smell.

 

[Levitt53]

That's interesting thanks.

 

[REDWOOD]

I put my jacket on last week in the house and a bee popped out from my sleeve and stung me on the wrist. She must of been there from the day before

 

[Erichalfbee]

Simon Caville gave a talk on his beekeeping experiences and clearing a super was one of them.

When you have many hives commercially clearer boards are something he doesn't use. He uses old cotton pillowcases with almond oil on them. Lift off the crown boards and place the pillowcase over the frames and pop the lid back on. Return after five minutes and the super is clear of bees. Apparently they hate the smell of the almond oil and move down away from the smell.

Even quicker is to tip the supers on their sides and use a leaf blower