Are there any Bee Keepers in our midst?

[jethro]

I'm hoping that someone here either keeps Bees or knows a thing or two about them...

I've got a very large, ancient Acacia tree, as it's close to the house and overhangs the road, it has been declared dangerous by both the council and a tree surgeon and so has to come down. I'm not too bothered about the tree as it's been in long term decline and it was obvious that sooner or later, it would have to be felled. However, in the rotten, hollow trunk is a colony of Honey Bees. The Bees have been there for at least 5 years, they've never been a problem and they've been left alone to happily buzz in and out. Now the tree has to come down, they have to move and no tree surgeon will go near the tree whilst they're still in the centre.

Trouble is, I really don't want them killed. Is there any way they can be shifted alive? Who would I contact to do this?

Any help gratefully received.

[frogesque]

I think you would need expert advice on this but if the queen can be safely removed the rest should follow. Getting into the hollow trunk may be somewhat problematic as the combs and honey will be randomly organised (to our eyes at least)

[Crepuscular Ray]

Contact your local swarm collector:

 

http://www.bbka.org.uk/help/find_a_swarm_coordinator.php

 

He may be reluctant, given that they're probably wild honey bees, but should be able to provide you with advice.

[BARRY]

we had the same problem at one of the property's we look after, the British bee association are great they will send somebody out to look at it and take it away. being's as it's 5 years old it may have built an up antibody to the bee mite.

[jethro]

Thanks for the answers folks, much appreciated!

[jethro]

Solution found. Hooray!

Found a registered local keeper, he's going to come and set up a special hive and transfer them across. It apparently entails setting up a platform, putting a special hive on it, jammed against the tree with any gaps filled with tape. This to be set up late evening when all the Bees should be inside the tree, it has a one way entrance on it so the Bees once drawn into the new hive (baited with honey) cannot get out again. Wait a day or two to make sure as many as possible are inside, then remove and search for the Queen. It's doubtful that she'll abandon ship for the new hive as she'll be in reproduction over-drive inside the tree, but once most of the other Bees are in the new hive, it will be safe to cut a hole in the tree and find her.

I intend to give the whole proceedings a wide berth, me and Bee stings don't get on too well. I am however looking forward to seeing the inside of the trunk, you can just see the honeycomb through the entrance hole and given the entire trunk is hollow and they've been there for at least five years, it should be an amazing sight inside. If it's in an ok condition, I reckon it may be of interest to a local school so hoping to get it out as intact as possible.

[pottyprof]

Why don't you set a webcam up and record it all ? Sounds like it could be interesting.

[jethro]

Why don't you set a webcam up and record it all ? Sounds like it could be interesting.

I don't have one. Me and gadgets don't get on. The best I can do is take some pics with my idiot proof camera.

[knocker]

Concerning bees.

http://rabett.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/blog-post.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[jethro]

Seriously? Can we not have a conversation about moving a perfectly happy, healthy colony of Bees without having to have the climate change slant thrown in too?

There's a thread over in the climate area about the PR problem, I'd suggest this is part of the problem. The overkill of climate change being linked to absolutely everything in life is what turns many off.

[frogesque]

Glad you've managed to get someone to move the bees - I wonder if your local news or TV would be interested in recording the exercise?