Guilfordbeekeepers.org

LOL L&H would you believe me if I said yes.

WOW!!! What a wonderful time we had visiting with the Ingool family. They are Betty and Ray. They are super duper nice. We stayed and talked for about 1.5 hours!!! Not about bees. About everything. It helped that I took my wife and kids. So here is the skinny. They are right across the street from one of the back entrances to Forest Oaks. The bees are in a hole in the tree about 18 inches off the ground. So I will assume no extreme scaffolding needs will be needed. They said to come over anytime. He saw the swarm come across the road and go to the hole in the base of the tree. It happened last Thursday. The bees were bringing in big sacs of pollen when we watched. The main question I have is what are we going to use to draw them out and what is the time frame?? The longer we wait is it going to be tougher??? Now the fun begins. Let's see if we can get some instructions from Wally and Ski,TJ and I can get rolling!!! Thanks for the opportunity Kurt.

Pics
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183 ... 0_3504.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183 ... 0_3503.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183 ... 0_3501.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u183 ... 0_3500.jpg

Do we need a pheremone or lure, Wally? I have read lemon smelling wood polish, or I would suggest something more natural like lemon grass or I have Honey Bee Healthy which my bees love and we can put that in the hive. Tomorrow night's not good for me, but Friday night is okay. Saturday is the North Carolina Storytellers from 10am until 5pm free in downtown Greensboro and I wanted to be there, but can come out and meet with you all first. Let me know.

Is it my eyes, or what? I can't see any bees in the photos.

First thing needed is a can of "great stuff" spray foam, or similar, to form a flat base to mount the funnel on.

Someone needs to make a funnel from 1/8 in. hardware cloth. "course screen"

Whoever is going to keep the bees needs to supply an empty hive with one frame from their live hive. This frame will contain honey, pollen, brood, and eggs. Especially eggs. This frame will be the only lure needed. The bees will smell the brood and go to it.

From the photos, I would think 2 cement blocks and a number of 2 foot 2X4s will be all that is needed for a base. The 2X4s will give a 2 in. adjustment for the height of the catch hive.

Ski, since you are free during the day, if you can come down to my shop, I have the screen and other tools and supplies to make the funnel.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/ ... ees113.jpg

PS...This photo was taken last year. A new swarm moved into it this year. You can go trap them out, too, if you want them.

I will supply hive with frame of brood,eggs,pollen,etc... I think I have a can of the foam. Ski... let me know what you get at Wally's and we can go from there. TJ and Ski... let me know a time and date. Friday is good and Saturday, anytime, is good.

Wally,
When is a good time to come down to make the cone?

I've always thought the best time to do anything is...."NOW"....

498-2685

OK L&H
I went down to Wally's shop. Absolutely the coolest place. We got the cone built. Do you have a couple of cinder blocks or do you want me to bring a couple. I will see if I can scrounge up a few 2x4's.

I am good for Friday or Saturday right now. So up to you and TJ.

Sturday for me. I am using all mine blocks for my hives right now. I can take some from them if it would be more suitable. I would prefer Saturday around 12 or 1. I am flexible for then so TJ lets hear from you. I really appreciate all your help Ski.

Hi L&H, I have 1x4s I can bring a some landscape blocks, just slightly smaller than the concrete. 12 or 1 on Saturday is fine with me. Tracey

L&H
please get an address or road intersection or a good landmark on a road so we can find you or the place.
Aer we meeting at 12 or 1 on saturday.

Yes, I have an address from Ski but need it confirmed. Is 12noon okay for everyone? L&H can you ask the people to check and just make sure the bees are still in the tree before we all go trekkin' out there? I assume we're going to set it up just like Wally showed in his pic and come back after a few days, or are we bringing chairs and snacks and watch them? Also, to attach it to the hive we may need more hardware wire to block all other exits from hive. How do we hook the cone to the hive entrance? screws? Or if we put an entrance reducer on to shut it up we could set it so they enter through a top hole if you have one drilled in to one of your upper boxes or a shim with a hole. TJ

The funnel only prevents them from re-entering the tree, It doesn't guide or trap them in the box. Only the frame of brood and the fact that they have no other place to go keeps them in the box. Other entrances to the tree can be blocked with the foam or caulking.

TJ
Good questions
Wally helped me build the cone and I have another piece of wood if we need it.
We will use great stuff to smooth out around the entrance so the cone can be attached I will bring some caulk to get any little gaps.

Wally suggested we check back the next few days to make sure they don't have another entrance. We can use Great stuff of something else if required to close up other entrances.

I will bring a cordless screw driver and some 3 inch deck screws to attach the cone in some manner.
Wally suggested we set the hive as close as possible to the entrance so the bees can walk from the tree onto the landing board and into the hive if possible.
If you think of anything else please feel free to bring it up so we cover all the bases.

Thanks,

Ski

Oh! I thought it was to guide them in. When does the Queen go in? Does she follow the workers? Do they give her the Nasanov pheremone "over here" signal and she comes out? I thought if there was brood in there and it's nice and dark and roomy she may not want to come. T.

TJ, here is a thread I started a couple of years ago. It has a lot of good info on trap outs.

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194037

Thanks Wally. That's really interesting and full of info. I'm going to print it in case it gets removed. TJ

Wally

Thanks for taking your personal time to help some noobs set up a trapout. From making the cone setting the hive and explaining why you did what you were doing as well as making sure we had all the things we were supposed to have to make it happen. I would think that people would pay money for a class like we just had.
L&H is supposed to be getting some pictures posted

Thanks again

Ski

>>>>I would think that people would pay money
for a class like we just had. <<<<

I'll PM you the address to send the check to.

LOL No PM yet. We were the trial class lol. We need to advertise to get people signed up. When do you want to strat?