free bees - home | warren to...hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 swarms swarms...

11
3/18/2019 1 Free Bees SWARMS, TRAP OUTS, CUT OUTS, AND SWARM TRAPS! Gary Keuffer with the Brown County Beekeeping Association What is involved in removing bees? It is labor intensive, time consuming, and can be a difficult operation in some case Removing bees requires specialized tools and equipment. These tools and their proper use can reduce some of the labor and time required for removing honey bees from a structure. Basic Equipment Needed for all Removals Personal protective equipment (PPE) - when dealing with unknown bees it is recommended full suit and veil with gloves. An inspector’s jacket will work. If pants that are loose fitting around the legs and cuffs are bound to prevent crawling bees from going up the pant leg. Standard beekeeping gear smoker, hive tool, brush, et cetra. Hive to put the bees in upon removal

Upload: others

Post on 23-Jul-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

1

Free BeesSWARMS, TRAP OUTS, CUT OUTS, AND SWARM TRAPS!

Gary Keuffer with the Brown County Beekeeping Association

What is involved in removing bees? It is labor intensive, time consuming, and can be a difficult operation in some case

Removing bees requires specialized tools and equipment.

These tools and their proper use can reduce some of the labor and time required for removing honey bees from a structure.

Basic Equipment Needed for all Removals Personal protective equipment (PPE) - when dealing with unknown bees it is recommended full suit and veil with gloves. An inspector’s jacket will work. If pants that are loose fitting around the legs and cuffs are bound to prevent crawling bees from going up the pant leg.

Standard beekeeping gear – smoker, hive tool, brush, et cetra.

Hive – to put the bees in upon removal

Page 2: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

2

Swarms

Swarms Swarms

Page 3: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

3

Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations – swarm list

Local club

Ohio State Beekeeping Association

County Extension Services

Local Publications

Internet

Facebook

Craigslist

Lawn Signage

Bees generally swarm in our area late April, May, and June.

Equipment Needed for Swarm Calls Basic beekeeping equipment and PPE.

Equipment to place in bees in Hive body

Cardboard box

Buckets with lids

Bee vacuum and power source

Tarps and/or sheets

Sugar water (in a spray bottle)

Buckets mounted on a pole

Garden shears or loppers

Swarm Equipment Swarm Equipment

Swarm Equipment Swarm Equipment

Page 4: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

4

Questions to AskFive Questions to ask before catching a swarm:

1. How long have they been there?

2. What are the bees in?

3. How big are they?

4. Can you send a picture?

5. Have you done anything to the swarm?

Cut-outs from various habitatsBee Cutouts

Bee Cutouts Bee Cutouts

Page 5: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

5

Bee Cutouts Bee Cutouts

Equipment for a CutoutA large amount of tools and equipment are needed for cutout operations

A wide variety of hand tools.

Powered cutting saws and extension chords.

Ladders / scaffolding

Tarps / plastic sheeting

Bee vacuum

Deep super / empty frames / rubber bands

Containers with lids

Knives and a cutting board

Medical stethoscope / thermal imaging device (FLIR)

Queen catcher

Water

Equipment for a Cutout

Equipment for a Cutout Equipment for a Cutout

Page 6: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

6

Equipment for a Cutout Equipment for a Cutout

Equipment for a Cutout Equipment for a Cutout

Equipment for a Cutout Equipment for a Cutout

Page 7: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

7

The Queen Catcher

Vacant area must be filled - insulation

Page 8: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

8

Trap Out Setup Hive body with frames and foundation

Queen / Bees / Comb with brood

Wire mesh cone, 18 inches in length with a 3/8ths opening

Hogan Trap Out Box

Trap Out Setup Hogan Trap Out Box Setup

Hogan Trap Out Box Setup Trap Out Procedure All tools and materials needed for a platform

Ensure all openings are blocked except one

Cone opening on the base of the trap

Monitor trap frequently in beginning

Eight weeks later remove cone

Two weeks later move trap out

Page 9: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

9

Why Trap Swarms? Free

Good genetics

16% survival rate the first year

What is a swarm trap?A box or container that you want a swarm to move into so you can take it to your apiary.

What you want in a swarm trap The right size – ten frame Langstroth, deep is a good size

Entrance – about two square inches

Lightweight – fifteen pounds or less

Durable – to last ten years or more

Weather Tight – to keep the rain out

Economical – build it with inexpensive material

Easy to build – simple tools that don’t require woodworking skills

Taller than it is wide – easy to carry under one arm

No rack required – it attaches to the tree

Easy transfer – uses deep Langstroth frames

Scout bee friendly – not full of frames with foundation

Swarm Trap

Swarm Trap Swarm Trap

Page 10: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

10

Swarm Trap Swarm Trap

Preparing the trap for use Rub interior surfaces with propolis

Apply a few drops of lemongrass oil

One frame of old drawn comb

Three frames with starter strip foundation

Secure frame in trap

Swarm Trap Location High visibility – seen from one-hundred feet

Full shade – not full sun

Not bright color – subject to theft or vandalism

Large trees – edge of woods

Proximity to bees – near existing colonies

Places bees visit – areas rich in nectar and pollen plants

Surface water – near creeks and ponds

Entrance orientation – convenient to be observed

Lucky trees – replace trap when you take one down

Idea height – Twelve to fifteen feet off the ground

Spread traps out – about one to two miles apart

Checking the Trap Monitor trap often – weekly

Large mass of bees covering box – swarm has arrived.

A few bees moving in and out briskly – scout bees

Bees arriving with pollen - swarm has moved in

Moving the Trap Move at night

Use headlamp with red filter

Block opening with screen for ventilation

Relocate at least three miles from trap locations

Transfer frames into permanent hive.

Page 11: Free Bees - Home | Warren to...Hive –to put the bees in upon removal 3/18/2019 2 Swarms Swarms Swarms 3/18/2019 3 Obtaining Swarms Bee organizations –swarm list Local club Ohio

3/18/2019

11

$125

Bibliography

McCarty, P. (n.d.). EQUIPMENT NEEDED For swarm and

honeybee hive removals. Black Mesa Honeybees.

Sharashkin, D. L. (2015, March). I LOVE SWARMS: The

Complete Guide to Attracting Honeybees. Retrieved from

Horizontal Hive.