Monday, July 15, 2013

Downed walnut tree; Clays Mill School Area in Halifax County, VA.

The colony of bees is just above the broken limb that is laying parallel to the trunk.

Old lightning strike from the crown to the base.

Big CAT skidder

Cuts on each side of the log allowed the skidder to break out the section with the bees.

Headed to the trailer with the pay load.

Loaded and ready to go in less than 1 hour.


Friday, July 12, 2013

Removing Honey Bees From Trees; Hampden-Sydney College, VA


At Hampden-Sydney College, VA
 
Locust Tree near East White House

Getting collection box ready for vacuum process

Attaching collection hose to collection box

Checking out as to where to drill small access hole

Inserting camera into 3/8" drilled hole to verify that we are above the colony in the hollow.

Operating vacuum collection hose.


Larger hole drilled with pipe fitting inserted to allow special herb mix to be placed over nest.. All holes will be pegged.


Using camera to see how far up comb is in the hollow.

Using hair dryer / blower to force smell throughout nest.


The nozzle is off and suction increased to pull in exiting bees
 

Monday, July 1, 2013

Large swarm ball, Charlotte Court House, VA June 29,2013

A monster of a ball of honey bees


We think that this colony came from a storm downed tree

Too large for the funnel. I used the vacuum system


I had to use 3 - deep supers to house this colony. Once settled I will split and add to developing nucs.

Storm downed tree, Scuffletown Community, Charlotte County, VA June 28,2013


This section broke away from the top of the Oak tree that was 25 feet from the ground

Fist cut was 6" too short. Long cuts have been made into log. There is one splitting wedge in place.



Storm downed tree, Harrisburg Community, Charlotte County, VA on June 6, 2013

Hollow was 20 feet from base of this Hickory tree. 27" at fist cut, 7' long with 20" at 2nd cut.








Bees were vacuumed into 10 frame deep super. Comb was cut out and placed in frames with rubber bands. Divider screen was pulled out to allow bees to enter the top box containing their own comb and brood.