Unfortunately due to SHB I am down to 1 hive, but thanks to SlickMick he has put me onto a cutout, so hopefully will have 2 hives by Sunday.
I have a few questions in regard to doing this cut out, and being my 1st attempt, and my 1st year as a beek I am a bit nervous.
I have been going through as many threads in the removals section as possible over the last few days but am still a bit hazy on a few things. The hive has been inside a house wall for a month or more. The house is brick outside, gyprock inside. The owner has sprayed the hive but just annoyed them by doing so. He is happy to cut out the gyprock as he is looking at renovating and painting the room soon anyway.
Here is my plan:
1. Inspect the area tomorrow after work. Don't plan to actually do anything.
2. Turn up Saturday morning with all my gear (as much as I have that's on the "cutout equipment list")
3. Smoke all visible entrances
4. Lay down tarp
5. Remove gyprock (owner indicated he may give me a hand)
6. More smoke, leave for a few minutes
7. Brush bees off (or vac off if I get a beevac made by friday night) working from the outside combs in towards the brood comb
9. Cut out brood comb and place in frames with Rubber Bands
10. Remove all remaining comb and honey
11. Let the owner clean the rest up and fix the damage.
Have I missed anything or any major concerns?
Initially my main concerns are not hitting any power inside the wall, then keeping destruction of his house to a minimum. Any hints?
Secondly at this point I visualize that I will have a super of brood, plus a super/box of bees.
What is the best way to handle them now? Move them separately, then combine, or wait till dark, combine, then move them?
Lastly what is the best way to combine them? I am hoping to have vacuumed the bees into a super and have the comb in another super. Should I put the brood box on top of the bee box, bee box on top of brood box, or just pour the bees into the brood box?
Thanks
ML