I got a call today from a lady who has an open air beehive in a tree in her front yard. I went out to look at it last summer but talked her into leaving it alone. I wasn't sure that it would survive the winter but apparently it has and is thriving. Unfortunately the property next to hers is being developed and the electric company needs the hive moved because it is in their way. So, the e.c. has offered the use of a boom truck to get me up to the hive to remove it. I haven't decided what to do with it, so I'm looking for suggestions. I know that I can dismantle the hive comb by comb and tie the combs into new frames, then install them in a new hive. Other than that I don't know.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), August 20, 2001

Answers

Don't know what else there is to do. Just make sure you don't lose the queen in the operation. Sounds like a good plan. You might want to spray them with a little sugar water to keep them settled down. You may want to plan on replacing the feral comb with comb drawn from foundation. The feral comb may be real hard to manage.

-- Skip in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), August 20, 2001.

if the ferel hive can fit into supers,, Id place the whole thing into a super,, till you get it back home,, them work it into the regular hive. WOuld be quicker than fitting the ferel comb into frames, while on a boom. Could do this while they are ALL still in the hive first thing in the morning or at night

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 21, 2001.

Elizabeth, I'd definately go for it! It sounds like it's a good strong hive. I don't know where you are, but here in Maine it's time to pull the supers and we don't have much time left in the honey season. If it were here, I'd put the whole hive in a deep hivebody (or two if necessary) then put a super or two with drawn frames on the top. They could fill out the hivebodies haphazard or work the drawn frames this fall, whichever suits their fancy. Then I'd try to get them into regular frames in the spring. That way you haven't caused quite as much stress going into winter. Of course, if you're in warmer climes all of this cold weather advise is of little value!! Good luck! I'd love to hear how you get on with this adventure.

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), August 22, 2001.

light that mofo on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YYYYEAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TEXAS MAC RRRRRULLLLESSSSS im a one man beehive killing machine !!!!!!!!!!

yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

-- terry schuller (elifox@earthlink.net), March 06, 2002.