Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[nutclough]

Hi everyone,
Just got home late to a swarm (third this month) in my garden. I'll need a scaffold tower to get it from the tree, but my main problem is that my final spare hive needs to be moved and I've just discovered a wasp nest in it. It's not very big, about 4 inches across but I'm allergic to wasp stings.

Any ideas?

I've considered emptying the swarm into the TBH anyway and seeing what happens, but the hive is on a grumpy persons land and I should have moved it off months ago.

Also, how long can you keep a swarm in a cardboard box before putting them in their new hive? Do you need to do it the same evening that you catch them?

Thanks.

[Dexter's shed]

get someone who aint allergic or scared, wait until its dark, then with gloves on an a plastic bag, simply place bag over nest and pull the neck tight with a zip tie, remove as far away as possible, then either destroy the wasp's or release and run

have done quite a few this way in roof voids

[nutclough]

Thanks.

I've decided that there are enough colonies in my garden for now and have found two possible homes.

One would involve moving the wasps and taking the hive to someone's garden, tomorrow (or tomorrow night). The other would be to simply use an empty top bar in the next town.

If we go for option one, I'm still looking for an answer to how long can a swarm live in a cardboard box for?

I think we'll probably go for option 2 which may be less disruption for the bees and the wasps.

[Dexter's shed]

[J Smith]

Theoretically, it is possible for bees to live in a cardboard box- until either the weather or the bees chewing on it makes the box fall apart.
Not really a long term solution- hived as soon as possible is the best bet, before they start making comb.

Good advice re: plastic bag and wasp nest. Only thing I would add is, if approaching at night in the dark, use a red lens (red cellophane over a head lamp)as wasps can get a bit defensive around white light at night. You could place the sealed bag in the freezer to dispose of the living contents.
Not sure what type of wasps you have, but we have German wasps here that visit hives, kill bees and cart them back home to feed the kids..... so cohabitation is not an ideal scenario.

[Dexter's shed]

phil's flower pot idea

http://youtu.be/MUWsB5DjTrU