tree colony

[eatmorebeans]

Hope the pictures come through....

This colony is 20' up the tree. They will clearly not survive the winter. Any ideas on how to remove them? Our plan is to frame the comb, and hope to get the Q in the procces, but I am minded to get a generator out there and use a bee vacuum first to collect the bees.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53645606@N03/6096087674/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53645606@N03/6095545225/in/photostream/

 

[freethorpe bees]

Hi Beans

I don't know if it's my I-touch but I can't see the pics.FB

 

[Luminos]

I can't see them either

 

[eatmorebeans]

ok links should be there now

 

[Erichalfbee]

Heaven's they are exposed!
Best of luck.
As some people can't see them I've taken the liberty

 

[Phil280]

Hi there.

I think you are right - they will not survive the winter. Looking at the comb they don't seem to have enough reserves to make it.

I would just take them down as is. Would not use the vacume.

Greets
Phil

 

[psafloyd]

How big is that cluster? Could you have a box on a pole to drop them into?

DO let us know how you get them down.

 

[Phil280]

Hi there.

How big is that cluster?

Judging by the size of the ivy leaves next to it I would say no bigger than a volleyball.

Greets
Phil

 

[Chris Luck]

Do you have the means to reach it? Cheery picker or scaffold tower?

If so it's a simple "cut out".

Chris

 

[eatmorebeans]

No way to get a cherry picker or anything machanical there. I'll be using a triple extension ladder. It's about 50% bigger than a football I'd say. 3 of us are going to go for it when I get back from Holiday in a couple of weeks.

 

[beeatshellards]

if you have an extension ladder I would secure to the tree use box or skep and do a cut out, that way you have the brood etc as well , knock the bees into the box ,cover and either lower them to the ground on a rope system or carry them down covered , good luck, it looks like they need a feed too, sort them out by tying into frames on the ground ,if you do it up the tree you could create problems for yourself

 

[Phil280]

Hi there.

3 of us are going to go for it when I get back from Holiday in a couple of weeks.

In a couple of weeks????
You are aware of the fact that it is already September in two days time?

I would get them sorted asap - it will take maybe an hour to do if you put the comb in frames. All in all 2-3 hours of work with feeding and you can go on holiday knowing that all is well.

Greets
Phil