Probably too late to capture the colony no. 2 due to a natural swarming out of the barn wall.
My hopes for bees from out of the masonry diminished yesterday.
A trap hive was hauled to the top of a ladder, set against the barn and a mesh funnel deployed over the colony exit. Wasps were seen raiding the depleted nest. A colony defenceless compared to the week before.
Meanwhile the Cathedral Top Bar Hive thrives. The following video shows all the bars removed except those holding comb. The two jars of syrup have just been re-filled and the varroa tray beneath the wire mesh floor temporarily removed, to allow some bees to escape. They had somehow found a way under, despite my best efforts to make it proof against such an event.
Apologies for the noisy clicking camera focus.
The combs nearest the camera are relatively new, those farthest away and now expanded almost the full extent of the width available, contain brood and will soon be hatching the worker bees that will hopefully overwinter through to early spring of next year. Five combs just two weeks ago have expanded and seven combs are showing - probably double the overall comb area.
The bees are in charge at hive No 1 and reminded me with a full on attack to my forehead at 5.30pm today. Their mood seemed much altered from the earlier days of settling in to their location in Courtenay's garden. The wind is fresh from the south east. Honey stores and brood are building well and they have much more at stake to defend. Latest Images At the outlying site farther afield hive No 2 is also deployed, in addition to a bait hive, which is located just below a colony deep within the brickwork of a farm building. Almost immediately the scouts began investigating the two hives, so I was hopeful they would choose to move in. After waiting several days and with no progress towards a move by the bees, I plan to use a trap out method for their removal from the barn. Plan B will involve the use of a one-way funnel to allow escape but prevent re-entry through the hole in the wall. The bait hive is to be deployed close to the funnel base and the bees hopefully will choose to move inside, including the queen with any luck.
This late in the year they will need feeding and ongoing support through the winter months in order to boost any chance of survival.
Bees within the brickwork of the studio / barn.
Allowing trapped bees to escape. The dark patches here seen along the joint line between brickwork and blockwork are the bees at their entry point.
Vacuuming the bees was not successful - Several perished - Entry/exit point inside sealed up.
A rescue operation was first accomplished of bees trapped inside the building., They could find no escape from behind the non opening window. The method was removal of a pane of glass reachable by shinning up an extending ladder.
Half size bait hive attracts attention but since removed for minor alterations pending the trap out.
A trap out will be required to re-locate this colony. The window pane top right of the picture had to be removed in order to rescue some.
Attracting attention from scout bees. Unlike No 1. hive this No 2. hive has two entrances - one each side low down, so that is can be utilised for combining or splitting colonies. Phil Chandler Explains - Get his book !
