swarm now a colony

[dudley]

I just had an email with photos of a May/June swarm that established itself in the cluster spot on the tree.
It is now fully established with comb and brood, but is exposed to the elements and predators.
How the hell it has not been wasp attacked yet I just dont know, I have trouble with my hives getting wasped even with the hive entrance closed down.

Anyway I have to take it away. I have taken many swarms as well as chimney removals and cut outs from buildings, but never this late in the year, I always try to plan those in the spring so I can re-queen if necessary and give them time to establish again.

The problem here is, they are in a pine tree. The comb is has been formed into both large and small branches, pine cones included, but mainly hanging on one large branch.
Typical cone shaped colony, with many sheets of comb.
My plan is to build a wooden box, similar to a top bar hive. Place box near/under the colony, and carefully cut away the branches supporting them from above all the time as as I do it.
When its all free and ready to go, lower into the box and tie the top supporting branch ends to the top or lid somehow.
Leave box in place until the returning/flying bees have found queen.
Bring box to me apiary and re-hive next spring.

Well that's the plan. Any other tips would be welcome.

I will try attach a photo.

 

[dexter's shed]

how high from the ground is it?

 

[dudley]

how high from the ground is it?

Height is no issue, it's only about 8'
So access is not a problem.
I am thinking of setting up my Ali scaffold under it, that way I can work in relative comfort.and I can use the tower platform to put my box on.

 

[dudley]

It's more a matter of interest. I am 60, been keeping bees for 30 years, and I have seen swarms build comb for a few days while scouts are out looking for a new site, but never seen a swarm stay so exposed for so long. I am only assuming there is brood, as they have been there for 10-12 weeks.
The homeowner thought they would go, and has just been waiting. But they have stayed and he has been picking up lots of fallen comb after a bit of windy weather.
Now realising they are set to stay, he's worried they won't survive a winter in the tree and called me.

 

[Eyeman]

Bring box to me apiary and re-hive next spring.

How easy will it be to find the queen in spring amongst all that relatively fixed comb?

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

LOTS of elastic bands. The way they can build free comb into frames is most impressive.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

LOTS of elastic bands. The way they can build free comb into frames is most impressive.

I've used string when the box of bands I had proved to be weak and prone to snapping. The bees didn't care, they just anchored the comb at top and bottom, chewed away the string then infilled the space in the frame. Not quite as pretty as a foundation frame but its aesthetics aren't critical

 

[MuswellMetro]

our "cutout specialist" uses wooden kebab sticks through the hoffman side frames to hold the comb

he drills three holes in the side bar just like a wired brood side frame and holds the wild comb in the frame by sliding in three kebab sticks

 

[Fatbee]

That's a novel idea - quick and easy. I might try that on some of my foundationless frames - wiring is a bit of a faff

 

[Jed D]

This forum is great for sharing stuff , as we all have our different ways of dealing with cut outs..
Ours in elastic from the sowing shop , lasts longer than rubber bands.