Uniting with newspaper....failure

[user 20297]

My first attempt at this; I've given them five days to make it through the paper. It was two small nucs, the uppermost was definitely queenless and the lower box has a reliable, laying queen.
I was getting concerned because there was some frantic activity mainly, under the crownboard, so I had a look in. The newspaper wasn't showing any signs of wear and tear. Next time I'll go with the advice that says you should help them by putting in a few slits.
It was only a few hundred bees, so I dismantled and shook out the hive and they can try their luck elsewhere.

 

[madasafish]

How many sheets ? Two are enough.
More than two is too many. Slits make the job easier.

 

[user 20297]

How many sheets ? Two are enough.
More than two is too many. Slits make the job easier.

It was two sheets, maybe should have been one...yes, slits next time for certain.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My first attempt at this; I've given them five days to make it through the paper. It was two small nucs, the uppermost was definitely queenless and the lower box has a reliable, laying queen.
I was getting concerned because there was some frantic activity mainly, under the crownboard, so I had a look in. The newspaper wasn't showing any signs of wear and tear. Next time I'll go with the advice that says you should help them by putting in a few slits.
It was only a few hundred bees, so I dismantled and shook out the hive and they can try their luck elsewhere.

A few hundred bees won’t have gone anywhere. Better to use air freshener

 

[user 20297]

A few hundred bees won’t have gone anywhere. Better to use air freshener

.....good point; but I don't like the thought of disrupting thousands of bees in order to save a few hundred, with a yucky product which I won't even use around myself for the purpose for which it's designed.

 

[enrico]

.....good point; but I don't like the thought of disrupting thousands of bees in order to save a few hundred, with a yucky product which I won't even use around myself for the purpose for which it's designed.

Trust me it is done in seconds. You don't cover the bees in it, just a squirt across the top of the frames. It will do no harm and is no worse than some of the stuff we use in our smokers!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

.....good point; but I don't like the thought of disrupting thousands of bees in order to save a few hundred, with a yucky product which I won't even use around myself for the purpose for which it's designed.

just shake them out then - they will quickly beg a space in another hive

 

[user 20297]

just shake them out then - they will quickly beg a space in another hive

Done that and they did and they got it...I should think they're very grateful.

 

[BernardBlack]

Trust me it is done in seconds. You don't cover the bees in it, just a squirt across the top of the frames. It will do no harm and is no worse than some of the stuff we use in our smokers!

So just shake the bees from another hive/nuc into the hive... And a quick blast of air freshener over the frames, and that’s them combined?

 

[enrico]

So just shake the bees from another hive/nuc into the hive... And a quick blast of air freshener over the frames, and that’s them combined?

No a quick burst on the top of the hive that is staying, a quick burst on the bottom of the hive that is going on top and just put the boxes together. Or if doing it with a few frames, make the space and just a touch of air freshener in the general area and pop the frames straight in. Never tried shaking them in so can't say if that would work!. All you are doing is giving them all the same smell for a few seconds while you do the job!

 

[madasafish]

.....good point; but I don't like the thought of disrupting thousands of bees in order to save a few hundred, with a yucky product which I won't even use around myself for the purpose for which it's designed.

Well I use air freshener.

You don't see any bees dropping dead after the process. (Nor humans either).

If you drive any pre 2015 diesel or breathe in its fumes, you are doing far more harm to the environment (and yourself). Don't talk of flying or ships..

 

[madasafish]

No a quick burst on the top of the hive that is staying, a quick burst on the bottom of the hive that is going on top and just out the boxes together. Or if doing it with a few frames, make the space and just a touch of air freshener in the general area and pop the frames straight in. Never tried shaking them in so can't say if that would work!. All you are doing is giving them all the same smell for a few seconds while you do the job!

You can unite a frame of bees with a hive/nuc if you use air freshener.

 

[user 20297]

Well I use air freshener.

You don't see any bees dropping dead after the process. (Nor humans either).

If you drive any pre 2015 diesel or breathe in its fumes, you are doing far more harm to the environment (and yourself). Don't talk of flying or ships..

I agree...I really hate air freshener though. I suppose it's a touch milder than amitraz or oxalic acid vapour.; you've convinced me worn me down , I'll try it next time.

 

[oliver90owner]

The one and only time newspaper uniting failed for me was with a very small bundle of bees in the top box. They simply huddled in one corner and did not attempt to get out. I always punch a couple, or few, holes in the paper - it just gives the bees an edge on which to start chewing.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You can always put one frame in a paper bag too

 

[Moobee]

I agree...I really hate air freshener though. I suppose it's a touch milder than amitraz or oxalic acid vapour.; you've convinced me worn me down , I'll try it next time.

Likewise, the smell makes me feel sick

 

[enrico]

Maybe that's why it works on the bees. They are all puking in the corner!

 

[Goran]

I used to spray bees with diluted in water schnapps ( I learned from older beeks - fruity scent). But afterward, when saw that enough was one sheet of newspaper and punching of couple holes in it with toothpick ( or similar), bees always merged. So I don't use schnapps - for bees, I use it on myself..

 

[Curly green finger's]

You can unite a frame of bees with a hive/nuc if you use air freshener.

And lots of smoke for that matter, I've used Air freshener to unite, always seem to prefer two sheets of news paper and put 1 slit in it with a hive tool once installed under a QX if I have one handy.