Posted by Jimmydog on March 11, 2017 at 07:47:02 from (198.47.54.180):
In Reply to: OT Beekeeping posted by gchase24 on March 10, 2017 at 17:54:16:
When you say "in" an oak tree what do you mean? In the trunk and flying in and out, or clustered on a branch? If in the trunk that would be a hive and you'll have to get creative and do something like vadave mentioned with a screen funnel. I would make the small end closer to 3/8" though. The problem is that you will not get the queen. The queen once she is mated returns to the hive and never leaves again for the rest of her life. So you'll still have to buy a queen. Also without a queen they become quite agitated. If it is indeed a swarm (cluster) and you can reach it then cut the branch off with loppers or a bow saw then put the branch with bees attached in a box sans frames and then put a super (box) with frames on top. After a couple days you should be able to remove the branch and fill the extra room with frames. Bees are quite docile when they swarm, it's when they've settled in that they defend their hive. I have captured many swarms in my twenty years of beekeeping and I have come to the conclusion that it's just not worth the effort. One problem with a swarm is that when they're clustered on a branch in most cases they have already picked out a spot for a new hive. Before the swarm they send out scout bees that then guide the new queen to the new spot. Usually they will only be hanging on the branch 12-48hrs. but I've seen some last two weeks and even one that started drawing out comb on a branch and perished over winter. Another problem is you won't know what type bees you have or how good of producers they are. Spend the money and buy some packaged Italians with queen. Since you're new at it spend a couple bucks more for a marked queen. After you're used to what a queen looks like you can buy unmarked. Start with one or two hives until you get the hang of it. At 10-12 hives I've pretty much reached my limit for part-time/hobby keeping. Beekeeping is a fun and rewarding hobby so I encourage any one remotely thinking about it to go for it. Also you're not a real bee keeper until you're baptized (stung by one of your own bees). I was "baptized" twenty times in about 3 minutes one time. Not bragging just saying expect to get stung from time to time. JD
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Ford Part Number Trivia - by Forum Participants. "Replaced by" means the part was superseded. All of my part books date back to 1964 and New Holland have changed some part numbers. They usually put the old Ford part number on the package. I was suppressed when I looked up the part number of the auxiliary drive shaft because for some reason the part number went through a radical change and it lost its "Basic Part Number". Ford part numbers follow the following rules. Most part numbers are in three parts. The middle part is called the
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.