Bees in a Barrel

[tedh]

There's a colony of bees that have taken up residence in a barrel in some folks backyard.  They said I could have them if I want them.  We really don't need more colonies (so far) but thought this would be a good learning opportunity for us.



I wouldn't do the trap out at this time of year but was wondering, should we move the barrel of bees to our house now and do the trap out next spring or wait till next spring to move them, then do the trap out?  Thanks, Ted

Bees in a barrel!  How cool is that?!!

[tedh]

Just trying tapatalk out.



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[tedh]

Boy that didn't work!

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[apisbees]

It's to late to do a trap out. Cause to much damage doing a cut out and unless you have a super of honey to give them for survival plus if the queen gets damaged or lost. Take it home and tackle in the spring.Is the barrel on that much of an angle or is the picture taken crooked? If barrel is on an angle and you decide to move it draw a couple of vertical lines so you can have the combs hanging straight when you get it home. What I would do would depend on its weight. Heavy with enough stores to survive the winter, wait till spring.
Light then find a way to get feed into them. Drill a hole and cut a circle with a good pair of snips in the top for a feed pail.

[iddee]

As Apis said, if you can move it, take it home now, keeping the vertical orientation while moving and afterward. Feed if needed. I would also insulate it for winter.

[tedh]

Yes, the barrel is at an angle. They seem to have picked out the perfect home.  I counted 6 holes in the barrel, three of which they propolised shut!  Insulate.  I suppose I could try cutting strips of foam board and duct tape them around the barrel.  Or maybe wrap with fiberglass insulation and wrap that with tarpaper?  They have been there for two years according to the owners.  Thanks for the insites! Ted

[tedh]

Also I'm wondering...  I spoke to the owners last night and they didn't seem to find the bees a nuisance, other than they were all over the wife's humming bird feeder.  The barrel is at the back of their yard, off to the side, out of the way and the husband did say he wouldn't and wasn't going to spray them.  He just said that if I wanted them, I could have them, no charge.  I didn't go there.  So as much as I'd like to mess around with a barrel full of bees (who wouldn't, right?) would the bees be better of just left alone?  Ted

[Slowmodem]

Bees in a barrel!  How cool is that?!!

That sounds like a polka!  The Bee Barrel Polka!   

[tedh]

Slide to the left, stomp your feet!  Slide to the right, clap your hands!

[Perry]

2 years and they've been OK? I'd leave them there and tackle it next spring.

[apisbees]

Yes as Perry said leave them their any movement could cause comb to break loose and fall although at 2 years it should be fairly sturdy but the weight and one bump and some could break loose. Insulate the top moisture will condensate on the cold surface above the bees and then drip on the bees if it warms up. the barrel being on the angle probably helps prevent this as the moisture will fun to the side rather than dripping as much.

[iddee]

With that news, I agree with the others.

[tedh]

Could I just put a piece, of say, two inch foam insulation on top for now, then move them in the spring?  I'd like to do the trap out here at home to keep a better eye on how things are going and to get the full advantage of the "learning experiance".  Ted

Iddee just posted so it looks like we have agreement.

[LazyBkpr]

I'd wrap some insulation aroun the top part, cut holes for the entrances they use, and pull a black contractors bag over it, again, with holes, and let them bee...
   Come spring? I wouldnt trap them out, I would cut them out, and get the queen! Trap out, or cut out, give me a call when your ready to do it!

[tedh]

Hey Lazy!  Good to read you!  What kind of insulation?

[apisbees]

Foam wont sit down tight os I would use a little fiberglass to fill the voids and foam over top and weight it with a brick or rocks.

[LazyBkpr]

What Apis said. A single wrap of fiberglass or similar around the top and some duct tape, some pink hard foam on top, cover with bag and see what happens.  Your increasing their odds of survival.
  I might even drill a 2" or slightly larger hole in the top of the barrel and plop fondant or a sugar cake on under a shim and over the hole, and insulate that..   Then even if they didnt have the stores they have a better chance.  But up to you and how much work you want to do.

[riverbee]

"Bees in a barrel!  How cool is that?!!"

VERY COOL TED!!!  will be looking for an update on this project!........thanks!

[Scott Derrick]

Very Interesting. Cold be a great colony to have.