Sunday, May 06, 2007

HoneyBee Removal - Lazy Acres

A few weeks ago I placed an ad in the Georgia Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin advertising bee removal services. I had intended only to remove low hanging swarms, etc... But I received a call from Lazy Acres Farm in Brooks, Georgia inquiring about removal of bees from a stucco driveway entrance wall. The bees had taken up residence inside the hollow 2x4 walls. I was a little hesitant at first but decided to give it a try. I arrived and immediately was able to pull the wire mesh, stucco & foam back to expose the hive. I wasn't concerned with getting the brood comb,etc... I just wanted to get enough brood for 1 frame, find the Queen and get several handfuls of worker bees. I was able to complete this job in less than 45 minutes. I left the nuc box in front of the area in hopes that most of the remaining bees would join the Queen. I will return tonight and remove the nuc.

I came to the conclusion that I need a "bee-vac" and some containers to save the comb, honey,etc.. I simply discarded everything. I had made a trip to Moultrie, Georgia earlier in the day to pick-up (2) 3# packages of Italian bees. Had I planned a little better and wasn't so tired I may have spent some aditional time and save more of the comb.

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