I've been working with PNM's Environmental Scientist, Steven S. to help trap out some bees from a PNM substation cinderblock wall within Albuquerque. Three cheers for PNM going out and finding a local beekeeper to remove live honeybees, rather than using an exterminator. This is especially admiral for a trap out, which involves many visits to the site over a 6 week period of time and someone from the company always has to be present for safety concerns.
This trap out was slick. No problems in setting it up. I placed a frame of young honeybee larvae with all the nurse bees into the top bar hive. This will be the new home for the bees that exit the original hive and have no better place to live. They will make a queen with the new larvae and create a brand new colony. It's a late season trap out and I'll be transferring bees week by week into my stronger hives so that they can survive the winter.
The only odd part about this trap out is that it is in a PNM substation. When entering the substation, we have to wear protective fire wear and are limited on entering the premises if it is raining. There is always a dull hum of machinery. Wondering if the dull hum is enticing to bee colonies?
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| The Top Bar Trap balanced on a ladder |
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| A detail of the trap. The cone has a frayed exit hole and is glued to the wall using silicone |
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| Can you hear the hum? |
Awesome project.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zipzap. I'm totally impressed with large companies that take the extra effort for bee removals
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